The Wichita community mourns the heartbreaking loss of Michael Etchingham, a beloved son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, who passed away at the age of 31. His body was recently found in a secluded area of a local park, and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office believes he had been living there while homeless. According to the coroner, evidence suggests Michael tragically took his own life.
Michael was so much more than the struggles he faced. He was remembered by his mother and loved ones as a young man full of promise—bright, funny, deeply athletic, and compassionate. He excelled in both school and sports, especially football, and had a natural ability to make others laugh. He loved music, cherished time with friends and family, and had a gift for forming genuine connections with everyone he met.
For those closest to him, Michael was someone whose presence lit up a room. But behind his charisma and smile, he faced a personal battle few could fully see. As his family shares, the last decade of Michael’s life was profoundly shaped by schizophrenia—a cruel and complex illness that altered the path of his life and challenged him in ways most can’t imagine.
In sharing Michael’s story, his loved ones hope to bring awareness to the realities of mental illness, to fight the stigma that surrounds it, and to encourage greater compassion, understanding, and support for those affected.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Michael’s memory to the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance at , an organization working to improve the lives of people living with schizophrenia and related conditions.
Michael was deeply loved, profoundly important, and will be missed beyond measure. His life, his laughter, and his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
🕊️ Rest in peace, Michael. You are free.
