https://twitter.com/canammissing/status/1359737176125132806

Ben Paulides is my son, a critical part of my world, team member, son, brother, and nephew. Ben has been living in Los Angeles near a Krishna Temple, practicing his faith. He has been extremely committed to his religion for over two years, living a 100% committed devotee lifestyle.

Three years ago, Ben had a manic episode with his then-girlfriend, who called and said I needed to get to Los Angeles now. When I got there, I found Ben euphoric, like on drugs, but not. After weeks of seeing doctors and hospitalization, he was diagnosed as Bi-Polar. We learned that Bi-Polar patients have the highest intellect and the highest rate of suicide of all psychiatric conditions. The family rallied around Ben and did everything conceivable to get him to take medication; he wouldn't. He believed they were like experimental drugs, and he thought nobody knew how the brain worked (probably true). Ben lived a good life at the temple eating exclusively an Ayurvedic diet for two years, he became an outstanding chef. Five months ago, I went to Los Angeles to meet him and saw a ligature mark around his neck. He said he was just experimenting, and it got out of hand.

Weeks after I left, he said he tried to kill himself. Again, the family did everything possible to get him to see a psychiatrist, he refused. He believed that his faith and an ayurvedic diet would help him. Ben and I communicated last Friday about some minor fun issues; he seemed upbeat and good. His mom talked to him for two hours Saturday and said it was one of the best talks she had with him. I noticed last Tuesday that his social media sites were gone, and his phone went straight to voice mail. I had a gut feeling something was wrong and had Los Angeles Police do a welfare check on Ben. I got a call from a detective that Ben had taken his life, probably on Sunday. Friends, I am devastated. Ben and I had a special relationship, and I will miss him forever. If there was one person in the world that I had high-level intellectual talks with regularly, it was Ben. We talked about everything in his world and mine; I can't explain how much he opened my mind. He had finished two books on Krishna and asked that I publish them; I will.

Angie and I are crushed beyond words. I'm going to be out of touch for a while; pray for us and Ben's soul. *

Ben's accomplishments: USHL- Defenseman- Youngstown Phantoms Ice Hockey Team Full Ride Scholarship- Miami- Ohio- D-1 Ice Hockey 4 Year Starter Miami University- Ohio- Senior Year- Academic Athlete of the year for all sports- Miami-Ohio. Accepted: USC Film School- Graduate Level Director- Missing 411- Documentary **One of our proudest moments was working together on this project. The idea was 100% Ben's; he believed in me. I've been told that this film has been seen millions of times around the world. Completed two books on Krishna Ayurvedic Chef

**This video was made just before Ben passed away. Please b e kind to each other and we need space for awhile.