We don’t know how many soldiers deployed to Afghanistan returned so troubled and broken that they tried to take their own lives. But we do know one family’s search for answers about their son’s suicide has led to a months-long inquiry of heartbreaking detail. Corporal Stuart Langridge took his own life four years ago after returning from Afghanistan. His parents Sheila and Shaun Fynes are ready to tell their story today.

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The death of Corporal Stuart Langridge

For more than 50 days, Sheila Fynes has sat in a small windowless room in Ottawa listening and trying to understand how and why their son could have been so desperate that he was driven to suicide.

Corporal Stuart Langridge served in the Canadian army in Bosnia and Afghanistan. Four years ago, after returning to Canada he took his life.

His parents, Sheila and Shaun Fynes say he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the military botched the investigation into his death. The military defends its investigation, but the Fynes pushed for a hearing with the Military Police Complaints Commission, a process that is underway now.

Shiela Fynes is the mother of Corporal Stuart Langridge. She was in Ottawa. And Shaun Fynes is his step father. He was in Victoria.

We did request an interview with someone from the Department of National Defence to respond to the Fynes. Our request was denied.

This segment was produced by The Current's Ellen Saenger.

Other segments from today's show:

UK/Canadian Embassy Mash-up

From the Ruins of Empire: Pankaj Mishra