Ryan had been struggling with his mental health after his dad died. Then he was dealt another cruel blow

By ANTOINETTE MILIENOS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 07:18 BST, 10 April 2025 | Updated: 07:38 BST, 10 April 2025

A young man has taken his own life after a thief stole the dream car he had spent his inheritance on in memory of his late father. 

South Australian man Ryan McGrath was found dead on his family’s property in Eudunda, about 110km northeast of Adelaide, on March 29. 

The 31-year-old had struggled with his mental health, which took a turn for the worse when his cherished original Holden Calais VK was stolen on February 18. 

He had used his inheritance to buy his father’s dream car as a way to remember his dad, who was his biggest role model and best friend. 

His 23-year-old brother, Reece McMullen, said it had been the final straw.

‘He felt like everything was turning against him and he lost everything. He (felt) he was a burden,’ Mr McMullen told The Advertiser. 

Following Mr McGrath’s death, a group of his friends worked tirelessly to search for  the stolen Holden in the hope of using it for his funeral. 

The group shared pictures of the car, which was last seen in the Gawler East area, and urged the thief to return the vehicle with ‘no questions asked’. 

South Australian man Ryan McGrath tragically took his own life after his original Holden Calais VK – the car he bought in memory of his late father – was heartlessly stolen (both are pictured)

Mr McGrath’s car was eventually found and will be used for his funeral. A GoFundMe has been set up to the family with funeral expenses and help restore the car to working order 

Mr McMullen said almost 2,000 people were on the hunt for his brother’s car.

‘Whoever had it either felt guilty for Ryan taking his life or they just knew it was too much and they couldn’t do anything with it,’ he said. 

Mr McMullen, along with Mr McGrath’s mum Robyn Mercury, finally found the Holden dumped in a paddock in the northern Adelaide suburb of Davoren Park. 

‘(We felt) we had a little piece of Ryan back, we got it back for him. I felt proud for my brother that all his mates stuck together and came together for him,’ he said. 

Mr McMullen is hoping to get the car in working order for his brother’s funeral. 

He described his brother as someone who would never judge, would always listen and loved going to the local pub to have a ‘yarn’ with anyone. 

Friend of the family, Courtney Chaffey, started a GoFundMe to raise money to restore Mr McGrath’s home and help with funeral costs. 

Mr McGrath’s brother said the 31-year-old (pictured) had struggled with mental health and believes the theft of his car was the final straw 

‘Ryan was a family man, a son, a brother. a uncle and a friend like no other. His family and friends meant the world to him,’ Ms Chaffey wrote. 

‘Ryan had the most pure heart and would give the clothes off his back to help others. He had a personality like no others. 

‘A sense of humour to uplift those around him. A smile to make your heart melt and a laugh to make you smile!’

Ms Chaffey said Mr McGrath’s home needs repairs as it was broken into just days after his death.  

‘His home in is need of desperate repairs, his oven blew up, his bathroom is gutted, window needs replacing, his fridge blew up and locks need replacing and a few other repairs are needed,’ Ms Chaffey wrote. 

‘Ryan’s home was broken into just after his passing and possessions have been taken without family’s consent.’ 

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au

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Ryan had been struggling with his mental health after his dad died. Then he was dealt another cruel blow

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