By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-15 14:59:13 | Updated at 2024-11-22 09:48:21
6 days ago
A millionaire financier tried to help his mentally-ill heir before he was allegedly murdered by him at a luxury Irish hotel, their family has claimed.
Distraught relatives of John McGowan, 66, and his alleged killer son Henry, 30, issued a statement after Tuesday's killing in Ballyfin Demense hotel in Laois.
'(John) did everything within his power to bring his son Henry, who suffers from a severe mental illness, the help he so desperately needs.'
The statement shared with the New York Times added that the McGowans, of New Canaan in Connecticut, were 'deeply saddened' by John's death and asked for privacy to grieve their loss.
A source close to the family told the Times that the elder McGowan left the $1.9 million family home and boarded a flight for Ireland on Monday night after learning Henry was in the Emerald Isle.
Henry suffers from bipolar disorder, according to a previous marathon fundraiser he organized, with his father rushing to his aid to get him help.
On Tuesday, McGowan was found unresponsive inside the leisure area of the hotel and was later pronounced dead.
Henry McGowan is seen here at a summer party in the Hamptons last August. He was charged with murder in connection with the death of his father earlier this week
John McGowan, seen here, was found unresponsive inside the leisure area of the hotel and was later pronounced dead
Garda, the Irish police, say the death was caused by a 'fatal assault' and have launched an investigation, but haven't offered further details on how he was killed.
McGowan was charged with his murder and made no reply to the charge when he was cautioned by officers.
After a brief court on Thursday, he was remanded in custody inside Cloverhill Prison with his case adjourned to November 18.
McGowan's lawyer Barry Fitzgerald said he suffers from significant mental health difficulties.
The judge presiding over the case has allowed McGowan to receive immediate medical assistance relating to his mental health.
Garda sources told Extra.ie that Henry had arrived at the hotel several days before the death after a trip around mainland Europe.
The outlet reported that he soon started acting erratically at the hotel and staff then alerted his father who was in the US at the time.
In his marathon fundraiser, Henry said he had a 'manic episode' in January of 2022 and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
McGowan, seen here, was charged with his murder and made no reply to the charge when he was cautioned by officers
The Ballyfin Demesne, set in a 614-acre estate near the Slieve Bloom mountains, is a popular destination for many celebrities
He added: 'I was released from the hospital and began the process of reconnecting with reality, my dear friends and family, and eventually my work and hobbies.
'It was a painstaking path, but being on the other side of it, I am deeply grateful for and in disbelief at how much my life has improved in this relatively short time.
'There is no greater lesson from this experience than the importance of community.
'My family, friends, therapists/psychiatrists, and employer were a formidable force that put a large landing pad (spanning from NYC to Paris) underneath me, one that very well could have saved my life.'
According to public records, Henry McGowan lived in New Canaan, Connecticut, inside a home valued at $1.9 million. His son currently resides in Brooklyn.
His LinkedIn profile indicates he had been a head partner for a brokerage firm specializing in trading on the New York stock exchange.
The McGowan family home in New Canaan, Connecticut is pictured. John McGowan spent decades working as a financier
McGowan had first worked as a Head Partner for Cohen, Duffy, McGowan & Co LLC, before more recently working with Torus Capital.
He had graduated from Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, with a Bachelors of Arts in Economics.
The Ballyfin Demesne, set in a 614-acre estate near the Slieve Bloom mountains, is a popular destination for many celebrities.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West honeymooned at the site after reportedly being turned away from Glin Castle.
