Emails from Mission President Fagan regarding the Death of Jesse Bowler (Scott's Cousin)

Email to President Brown from Rosanne Austin (Elder Austin's Mother)

Dear President Brown,

I am not sure how to handle this situation, so I am writing you to ask for your guidance.  My Son is Elder Scott Austin who is serving in Clondalkin and yesterday his cousin, Jesse Bowler, committed suicide by a drug overdose.  I didn't want to tell Scott by email, so I am writing you.  I feel he needs to hear this from someone that he may want to talk to.  I don't feel that a call is necessary either from us unless you feel he needs to talk to someone.  

I feel if you are able to talk to him about it and if he has any questions, you can answer them for us.  We are all doing fine.  His aunt is understandably upset and we are planning to have his funeral service this Saturday.  

If you or Scott have any questions, please email me or use whatever means you need to contact me.  Please let me know what your protocol is in these types of situations and I will follow through with whatever is needed.  I don't want Scott to have any distractions while he is Serving, but I feel he needs to know about this situation.  

Thank you so much for watching over my son.  From his letters and emails, he is very happy and so excited about serving the Lord. 

Sincerely,  

Rosanne Austin 

Email Reply:

Dear Sister Austin,

I am in France this week for the annual mission presidents seminar so all I could do is phone him but I’ll copy President Fagan one of my counsellors who lives near Dublin in on this email and he may be able to pass on this tragic news.

President Fagan – would it be possible for you to contact the Clondalkin Elders and pass this news on to Elder Austin?

Kind regards,

President Brown

Email from September 11, 2013

Dear Sr Austin I am so sorry to hear of the death of Jesse,I will be seeing your son Elder Austin at 3:45 and will send you a report later on. I know that our Heavenly Father will bless and comfort him at this difficult time. 
Best regards
Ray Fagan



Dear Sr Austin and President Brown I have met with Elder Austin and find him well and enjoying serving The Lord. He was quite shocked to hear the sad news about Jesse but knew that was a possibility from experience he had in the past. Although difficult for him he was alright with it and felt that he could handle it. I met with him in private that's the way he wanted it but I did encourage him to share it with his companion after I left if he felt to do so. At this time he feels that he can do most good by continuing to serve. I think he will be fine and will look forward to hearing from you by email on Monday. I also put his name on the Temple Prayer Roll. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of having such a wonderful young man serve in the mission field. His companion Elder Johnson and he get on really and are a great support to each other.  

Kind regards

Raymond Fagan