Last year, a Brooklyn resident named Henry McGowan participated in the New York City Marathon, raising over $10,000 for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In a statement on his fundraising page, he disclosed his diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder Type I following a manic episode in January 2022.
McGowan expressed concern for others suffering from mental illnesses who may lack the support and access to care that he had received.
Tragically, just a year later, his father, John McGowan, has died, and Henry has been charged with his murder by authorities in Ireland. According to a news release from Irish officials, Henry McGowan is accused of murdering John McGowan on Tuesday night at Ballyfin Demesne, a hotel located in County Laois, approximately 60 miles southwest of Dublin.
The upscale hotel, known for hosting celebrities, was the scene of a fatal assault that led police to discover John McGowan's body shortly before 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday. He was 66 years old.
The McGowan family released a statement expressing deep sadness over John McGowan's death, highlighting his efforts to support Henry in managing his mental illness. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time and will not provide further comments.
On the day before his death, John McGowan learned that Henry had flown to Ireland. A family acquaintance revealed that John, who resided in New Canaan, Connecticut, and worked at a nearby investment firm, was highly devoted to his son and recognized the seriousness of his condition. He boarded a flight to Ireland later that night to assist Henry.
Henry McGowan, who grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, graduated from the University of Virginia and previously worked at Affirm, a technology software company. A neighbor expressed shock at the allegations against him, noting that he had been living in Brooklyn Heights with a girlfriend.
In his marathon fundraising message, Henry recounted his hospitalization following the manic episode and his subsequent journey to reconnect with reality, friends, family, and his professional life. He emphasized the importance of community support during his recovery, crediting family, friends, therapists, and his employer for their vital role in his life.
He also acknowledged Dr. Robert Hirschfeld, a key figure in his transition back to daily life, who passed away earlier last year.