Colton Clarkin fled Hillsborough Hospital while walking in grounds with his father, inquest hears [Video]

Warning: This story deals with suicide. If you or someone you know has been struggling with mental health, you can find resources for help at the bottom of this story.

The inquest into the death of Colton Clarkin began in Charlottetown Wednesday — painting a picture of how the 27-year-old Emyvale man was able to die by suicide while classified as an involuntary patient at Hillsborough Hospital.

Clarkin was admitted to Health P.E.I. psychiatric facility in September 2022 after he was found not criminally responsible for several offences. His record to that date included charges related to weapons, an armed robbery and an assault. 

The family was told he would get the help he so clearly needed, but as his mother Maggie Clarkin said as the inquest got underway, “319 days later, our son was dead.”

His father Alan Clarkin issued a plea for the inquest jury to recommend better …