The family of tragic Ethan Brown has called for a fatal accident inquiry to be held after blaming a “catastrophic grading failure” at the University of Glasgow for the 23-year-old’s death in December last year.
Ethan Brown’s family have written to the Lord Advocate to request a major probe into his death(Image: PA)
Prosecutors are probing the tragic death of a university student who took his own life on his graduation day after being wrongly told he’d failed.
The family of Ethan Brown has called for a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) to be held after blaming a “catastrophic grading failure” at the University of Glasgow for the 23-year-old’s death in December last year.
In a letter to Scotland’s Lord Advocate, lawyers for the family accuse the university of “deep institutional failings, widespread” and call for “immediate and transparent action” to avoid further tragedies.
Police are now set to interview the family and key members of university staff after the Crown Office confirmed a “re-examination” of his death would take place.
Writing to Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, family lawyer Aamer Anwar said of the FAI request: “Ethan’s mum and family hope that such an inquiry takes place in order that no other student or family have to suffer the consequences of the systematic failures that the University of Glasgow are responsible for.
Ethan’s mum Tracy with lawyer Aamer Anwar(Image: DAILY RECORD)
“My office has been inundated with calls and messages from current students, former students, and parents, all reporting experiences similar to those of Ethan, including serious grading failures and comparable mistreatment by the University of Glasgow.
“Additionally, I have received communications from individuals within the institution who report having been suspended or silenced after attempting to speak out in support of Ethan and his family, and the corrupt nature of the University. The information provided by these individuals suggest that the University’s handling of such matters reflect deep institutional failings, widespread.
“Alarmingly, some individuals who have contacted my office have disclosed over the phone they, too, have contemplated suicide or have felt suicidal as a result of their treatment by the University. This highlights the gravity of the situation and necessity for immediate and transparent action.”
Ethan’s heartbroken mum Tracy Scott previously told the Record of her horror at finding him dead in his bedroom as they prepared to leave for his big day – three months after Glasgow University told him in error that he did not have the necessary credits to graduate.
A month after his death, his devastated family discovered the geography student had been given the wrong grade and actually achieved a 2:1 honours degree.
Ethan uncle Alan, left, his mother Tracy and stepdad Colin(Image: Reach PLC)
Mum Tracy, from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, said she wanted to collect Ethan’s degree on his behalf at a future graduation ceremony and last week university chiefs confirmed the family’s wish would be granted after apologising for the “tragic error”.
She has accused the university of “repeated incompetence” in the months before her son’s death, saying they also failed to act after he reported mental health problems.
The former Coatbridge High School pupil, who had “a smile that would light up the room”, had been due to graduate in June 2024 but the university said an assignment had not been handed in.
Ethan was unable to graduate and the family say the university failed to communicate with him throughout the summer, but he hoped he would be able to graduate in December.
In September, he was told he had not been awarded a grade for one course and would not be eligible to graduate from his honours degree.
He took his own life on December 13 last year.
It was only when Ethan’s aunt asked more questions of the university about his grades that the error came to light.
Tracy said her “clever, hard-working and dedicated” son died “believing he’d failed”.
Tragic student Ethan Brown died in December(Image: Reach PLC)
A report from the university’s investigation into the tragedy stated that there had been confusion amongst staff over grading for incomplete honours courses and Ethan had disclosed “details of deteriorating health and distress”, which should have been picked up on.
In a statement, the university said it believed Ethan’s case to be “isolated” – despite its review into the tragedy stating it was a “systemic problem” which is “a serious issue for the University” and “may not be confined” to Ethan’s department.
In a further letter to the university’s new Principal, Andy Schofield, Anwar wrote: “This is a blatant contradiction, and frankly, a minimisation of the seriousness of what has occurred. The family find it difficult to interpret this as anything other than a shameful attempt to absolve the institution of wider responsibility, and to gaslight a grieving family.
He added: “We fully support an FAI being held into the circumstances of Ethan’s death. I understand the police are being instructed to attend and take statements from the family and the next stage will be the university staff.
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“It is now clear to us from the number of students and staff at the university who have been in touch, that there are serious systemic problems at the University of Glasgow of a similar nature to that which Ethan encountered, and as for mental health support it is never red flagged and is practically non-existent.
“The primary concern of Ethan’s family is to ensure that no other student is ever placed in the circumstances that he was.”
A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service spokesman said: “The circumstances of Ethan Brown’s death are being re-examined in light of new information. The family have been informed and will be kept updated.”
A University spokesman said: “We are profoundly sorry that Ethan tragically took his own life and understand the deep distress it has caused his family.
“We offer a sincere apology as well as our deepest sympathies.”