The teenager who helped his friend die: 'I'm sorry'

Dillon Gargett at his home in Christchurch yesterday. Photo / Jane Wyles

The teen convicted of helping a friend take his life wants to meet his dead mate's mother to apologise.

Dillon Gargett was sentenced to home detention on Friday after becoming the youngest person in New Zealand convicted of assisting suicide.

The 17-year-old said yesterday he could "absolutely not understand" what was going through his mind when he provided equipment for Ben Dowdell to kill himself at a park in the Christchurch suburb of Sydenham last September.

He said he had known the 16-year-old only a few days but considered him "a friend". Now he wants to meet Ben's mother, Debbi Close, to say sorry.

"I could see [in court] she was angry with me," Gargett said from his family home. "I was absolutely gutted at what I had taken away from her. I'd love to apologise to her."

Supported by his parents Warren and Evelyn and older brother Billy, Gargett said he had nightmares about that night.

Gargett was arrested a couple of weeks after the suicide.

His bail was revoked because he continued committing offences, and he was sent to the at-risk unit at Christchurch Men's Prison because of concerns about his safety.

Gargett said prison had been difficult and he had been assaulted twice by other prisoners.

"I'm glad I'm home but I'm very upset about what happened. I did need to go to jail and see what it was like. It's made me think about my life, what I've done, how I've hurt people. I just wish I'd seen it earlier."

Close said any apology from Gargett would be too late but she did not wish him any harm.

"I hope he gets his life back on track, but he is going to get a chance my son never did."

On the day Ben died, he made everyone but Gargett leave the park. As he killed himself, Gargett saw what was happening but made no attempt to help.

When Ben's father phoned on the night Ben died asking about his son, Gargett did not tell him what had happened, or where to find him.

That meant the body was not found until next morning.

During sentencing at Christchurch High Court on Friday, Justice Graham Pankhurst said Gargett's response to the call was "cruel" and could not understand why he had not sought help for his friend.

Yesterday Gargett had no answer: "I was just afraid."

He said at the time of Ben's death he did not care about the law and was drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis to excess. He did not trust anyone enough to tell them Ben wanted to kill himself.

Close said Ben was a "great kid" but was also vulnerable and troubled. He had learning difficulties, was badly bullied at school and could not read social situations.

"When he left home at 16, I knew he was unwell," she said. "This was a train crash waiting to happen."

Because Ben was living with her ex-husband, she did not know he had gone missing until he was already dead.

Gargett's parents said their "hearts go out" to Ben's parents and brother.

"It was a comedy of errors," Warren Gargett said. "Two young lads with mental problems, and it escalated into stupidity."

Justice Pankhurst imposed an eight-month home detention sentence, and ordered Gargett to undertake counselling, including psychiatric counselling.

Seek help

If you are depressed and need to talk to someone contact one of the following:

* Lifeline 0800-543-354; Youthline 0800-376-633; Samaritans 0800-726-666.

* If it is an emergency and you believe you, or someone you know, is at risk, dial 111 immediately.

* Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand has more information about mental health services and contact information for counsellors, doctors and support groups.

For more information, visit: www.spinz.org.nz.