Nick Lowden died at 23 from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), an incurable and fatal degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. His family has linked his mental health struggles and eventual death to a specific on-field incident when he was 17.
CTE has been diagnosed in several former professional Australian Football League (AFL) and AFL Women's (AFLW) players. However, it is a concern across contact sports at all levels. A significant challenge with CTE is that it cannot be diagnosed while a person is alive. The disease occurs when abnormal proteins accumulate in nerve cells, leading to malfunction and death. Symptoms can include mood disturbances, memory loss, and impulse control issues.
Lowden's family decided to donate his brain for research, hoping for insights into his struggles. Posthumous tests revealed he had CTE, a diagnosis that shocked them. They believe a collision in 2017, when he was 17, marked a turning point. During a game, Lowden leapt for a mark and fell, hitting his head on the ground and appearing unconscious for a few seconds. Despite this, he was allowed back onto the field, contrary to concussion protocols. After this incident, his mental health began to deteriorate rapidly.
Lowden was a promising semi-professional player in the Victorian Football League and South Australia's league. While outwardly his life appeared successful, he was privately battling significant mental health issues. He pursued various treatments, including medication and psychological support, but found no relief. His mother, Kerry, described his distress at being unable to overcome his internal struggles, noting he maintained a healthy lifestyle and was dedicated to his physical and mental well-being.
In the year leading up to his death, Lowden experienced a severe mental health crisis. His parents, Kerry and Tony, grew increasingly concerned after he expressed suicidal thoughts. These concerns intensified when he became unreachable while recovering from an injury at home. Upon returning, Kerry found her son unresponsive. He had taken his own life.
The Lowdens' experience highlights the devastating impact of CTE and the challenges in identifying and treating the condition. The disease has been linked to suicides among some Australian players diagnosed with it.