Warning: This story contains mentions of suicide that may be triggering to some readers.

A Life Gone Too Soon

Athletic, curious, with a genius-level IQ and a kind soul, our son Liam Roeth took his life at age 25.

Liam truly delved into many different areas, driven by his own curiosity and interests. He was loved immensely by his parents, his older sister, his sweet and intelligent girlfriend of three years, and his relatives and friends; yet he chose to hide his personal struggle. All of us were stunned when he sent a message of love to his family and girlfriend and then took his life one fateful night while we were away, expecting him to join us in Boston on our family trip.

Unending Curiosity

Liam was a very happy and intelligent child. His curiosity was apparent early on, which led to him being accepted into and attending a public charter school for highly gifted students, starting there in the first grade. A prolific reader, Liam was fascinated by the sciences so much that teachers often asked him to clarify advanced topics for his classmates. He eagerly helped when he could without arrogance, only with generosity and care – traits that defined him.

This love for knowledge drove Liam to take up multiple projects from a young age, including:

• Designing a computer from the very lowest level components (NAND gates)
• Designing a steam engine
• Building an electronic fencing tester
• Performing major repairs on our cars

He was unafraid to take on whatever came his way and confident he could figure it out independently.

Not only was Liam passionate about learning, he was tremendously talented in the arts as well. He loved to sing, dance, and act, performing annually in the school’s musicals. In fifth grade, Liam earned a major role in their production of The Music Man, beating out older students for the part.

During rehearsals, teachers told us Liam fainted twice, telling us he “hit his head hard” when falling down. These were two instances of him experiencing head injuries. A physician at the hospital told us that Liam simply passed out due to dehydration, and drinking adequate water seemed to fix this problem.

In middle school, Liam was again accepted into an accelerated program for highly gifted students. By the time he finished eighth grade, he’d completed all the standard high school math courses and earned advanced credits in English and Latin. Though Liam didn’t show any signs of stress in regard to his academics, we noticed he sometimes struggled with organization. He was twice tested for ADHD, but results came up negative both times. We enrolled Liam in a Lindamood-Bell Learning Center, where kind experts provided him with tips and exercises to improve his skills in executive function.

But Liam wasn’t merely a devoted scholar who loved to learn, he pursued athletics as well. He was a competitive swimmer and cross-country runner, earning a varsity letter on his high school teams in his freshman year. If that wasn’t enough, Liam then picked up epee fencing where in a span of two short years, he qualified for and competed in USA Fencing Nationals.

On the morning Liam was supposed to take the ACT test, he initially drove to the wrong testing site. Fortunately, he managed to get himself to the correct location just in time and ended up receiving a score of 36, the highest possible result. His other strong test scores, high grades, and his National Merit Scholar award made him an attractive candidate for merit-based scholarships at various colleges and universities.

Ultimately, Liam ended up choosing Hofstra University in New York, where they awarded him with their Trustee scholarship, which covered the full cost of his tuition for four years. For four summers, Liam worked as an assistant swim coach for summer swim league where the swimmers and parents loved him and his coaching.

The Effect of Head Injuries

Liam sustained at least four head injuries as a child, two requiring staples. He also enjoyed inline skating in his teens and twenties, and though he was consistent about wearing a helmet, had one major fall resulting in a visit to the hospital, a broken tooth, and stitches. Fortunately, his father was able to visit him the day after that fall and Liam seemed to be recovering well.

Although Liam was expected to graduate from Hofstra in the spring of 2022, he began that semester recovering from an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 booster shot, required by the school for in-person learning. Later that semester, he became overwhelmed and stopped going to classes. We only found out a few weeks later, at which point he’d already dropped out, meaning he lost his scholarship and would be unable to graduate.

We immediately helped Liam find therapy and connected him with a school counselor who reported that he seemed to be doing remarkably well for a student in his situation. We also encouraged him to file a withdrawal form to protect his academic standing should he wish to someday finish his studies or transfer credits to another school. We provided counseling for him which he welcomed.

Months afterwards, I asked Liam if we’d supported him enough during this difficult period and his response was, “Oh, you guys were great.” Further, he declined to continue with counseling, which made it seem as if he was doing better.

Liam moved back home to Charlotte, North Carolina in May of 2024 while maintaining a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend in New York. He lived in a separate studio apartment over our garage, giving him the option of joining us for dinner when able, or cooking for himself in his own small kitchen. Since Liam was now 25, we gave him companionship without interference.

At home, Liam planned to attend UNC Charlotte in the hopes of finishing his computer science degree so he took steps to establish in-state residency requirements. Just weeks before the start of classes, he said he’d changed his mind about going back to school so I suggested he consider a three-month coding bootcamp as an easier and faster alternative option to more school, but he said he wasn’t interested.

In his free time, Liam stayed busy by hiking and camping in nearby Uwharrie National Forest. He also enjoyed rock climbing at the local Inner Peaks facility. We held monthly book club and karaoke gatherings in our home, which he attended regularly and seemed to enjoy.

To make some money, Liam worked for a dry cleaner where he’d previously been on and off since high school. While everyone loved him there, we’ve since learned that the well-meaning owner had asked Liam to continue his studies to remain employed, which may have added pressure to his situation.

Before leaving for Boston in June of 2025, we hugged and kissed Liam goodbye, thinking he’d be joining us soon. He seemed happy to us, but it was the last time we would ever see him.

Liam’s brain has been donated to the UNITE Brain Bank to help advance critical research on brain injury relative to mental health. This was also done in light of who Liam was – someone who always held a keen interest in science of all kinds. The fact he can contribute to this effort posthumously is one bright spot in an otherwise dark situation.

We had no idea Liam was struggling so much. He hid his pain from all of us, trying not to be a burden I guess. We will love and miss him for the rest of our lives.

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Suicide is preventable and help is available. If you are concerned that someone in your life may be suicidal, the five #BeThe1To steps are simple actions anyone can take to help someone in crisis. If you are struggling to cope and would like some emotional support, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 to connect with a trained counselor. It’s free, confidential, and available to everyone in the United States. You do not have to be suicidal to call.

Are you or someone you know struggling with lingering concussion symptoms? We support patients and families through the Concussion & CTE Foundation HelpLine providing personalized help to those struggling with the outcomes of brain injury. Submit your request today and a dedicated member of our team will be happy to assist you.

Merriam-Webster offers numerous definitions for the word “mother,” reflecting the diverse ways it can be understood. Yet, none fully capture the essence of Mabel Gonzalez.

My mother embodied them all. She was a protector, nurturer, provider, advocate, teacher, and mentor. To others, she was a warrior, soldier, angel, sinner, and saint, caught in the eternal struggle for kindness, ethics, and morality in a world that often loses its way.

Mabel was an anomaly, someone who should not have existed. A descendant of an oppressed people spanning over eight centuries, she carried the spirit and soul of liberation, survival, and peace with every breath and through every moment she graced this earth.

She was the youngest daughter brought into a world which deemed women inferior – and women of color even more so. My mother embodied both identities, and her profound double consciousness manifested in her professional and personal pursuits, fighting tirelessly to be recognized in a fractured society that viewed women like her as shadows they couldn’t erase.

Mabel was a trailblazer who shattered glass ceilings and broke through walls simply to survive. She refused to perpetuate the intergenerational trauma of being a silenced woman, living in the shadow of a man. As a young adult, she rebelled against gender norms, racial stereotypes, and society’s expectations by becoming a voice for the voiceless – a mother who chose to speak alongside her children rather than from behind them.

Her conviction shone through in the way she parented her eldest son Luis, breaking cycles of disconnection and raising him with a revolutionary spirit of inclusion. Without formal knowledge of child development, she intuitively nurtured her children in alignment with the latest science, relying solely on her boundless love and instincts.

This enlightened approach to child rearing continued with her two other sons, who were seen and heard in ways their parents never were. Her resilience and awareness propelled Mabel to become a social pioneer, culminating in her role as the first-ever Parent Coordinator for New York City public schools under Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

But Mabel’s achievements did not end with her career. She dreamed of retiring in a place where she could savor the peace and dignity of true autonomy, having left an indelible mark on her family and community.

Mabel endured the unthinkable tragedy of losing her youngest son in an accident, an irreplaceable love lost forever. Yet, even in the face of this devastation, she became a grandmother while carrying the weight of her grief with grace and courage. No one I’ve ever known could weather the storm as she did, offering steadfast love and strength to those of us adrift.

My mother’s passion for women’s liberation and autonomy defined her life. She hoped her sacrifices would pave the way for a world where future generations of women would not face the same struggles she endured.

Some might wonder how this extraordinary woman connects to the Concussion & CTE Foundation. Mabel’s fight for a better life was constantly met with fierce resistance. Her battles left her a wounded healer—a testament to the urgency of recognizing and addressing the trauma endured by the human brain.

Head trauma knows no boundaries of race, class, or gender. Women often face this silent epidemic because of gender-based and intimate partner violence—realities as perilous as any sport. Contact sport athletes may accept the risks of their profession, but women should never have to accept risks to their safety and brain health simply for existing independently.

Mabel’s legacy serves as a clarion call to athletes and society alike. She wanted the world to recognize the dangerous “sport” of women and civilians enduring brain trauma, often while sacrificing themselves for their loved ones in unimaginable moments. Her life and death stand as a tribute to families forced to leave the sidelines and step in when courage is required.

My mother lived by the inspiring words of the late Senator Robert Kennedy, for she too “dreamed things that never were and said why not.”

I hope her Legacy continues to inspire future physicians and clinicians to bring awareness to communities that lack the resources to blow the whistle on gender-based violence. In spirit, she remains steadfast in her mission to uplift future generations of women, advocating for a world where being a woman is defined by love and compassion, not violence.

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If you or a loved one are in a domestic or family violence situation, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline here to speak with trained expert advocates who can offer support, education, and crisis intervention information. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7/365.