WARNING DISCUSSES SUICIDE: Cal Shearer, a neuroscience PHD student who volunteered for the Samaritans, was found dead in their room at St John’s College in Oxford on October 30
The “brave and beautiful” child of a former Fast Show actor and TV presenter took their own life while studying at Oxford University.
Cal Shearer, 25, a neuroscience PHD student, was found dead in their room at St John’s College on October 30. Cal, who was autistic and transgender, “radiated warmth to all those around them,” loved ones said following the tragic loss. They volunteered on the phonelines for the Samaritans helpline but had battled with their own mental health issues for many years, their family said.
Their death came after a long battle to find treatment in a struggle their family described as the “all too prevalent but not yet understood crisis of suicides amongst autistic people identifying as trans”. Cal left behind a note reading: “I love you and I know how loved I am. I am lucky to have so much love surrounding me.”
Cal’s parents are former Fast Show actor Paul Shearer and former children’s TV presenter Vicky Licorish. Oxford’s Coroner’s Court heard on Monday that Cal had been at Leckford Road in Jericho on October 30. The cause of their death was given as hanging and a full inquest was scheduled to be held on March 10 next year.
Actress and film producer Vicky paid a heartfelt tribute to her youngest child, sharing photographs of Cal in happier times. She wrote: “Our brave, beautiful, blazingly clever, wickedly funny and endlessly compassionate Cal sadly lost their battle with mental health this week. There are no words.”
A memorial pace has raised thousands of pounds in Cal’s memory for The Samaritans and Gender Intelligence, a trans rights charity. “Cal’s passing is a tragic loss to everyone who knew them,” a family message on the page read. “They had so much to offer, but the pain of their inner turmoil proved too great for them to bear.”
They added: “Many walked beside Cal during the years they privately struggled with their mental health. Imogen, Cal’s long term friend, then partner and, last year, wife never left their side. “Now working for the NHS, Imogen tried to secure Cal the right treatment for this all too prevalent but not yet understood crisis of suicides amongst autistic people identifying as trans.” Tributes flooded in from fellow students and volunteers who had worked alongside them. “Cal, I am so grateful to have had the chance to know you,” said one. “You worked so hard to uplift others despite your own struggles.”
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email [email protected] or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
