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Wife: Depression Ate German Keeper

Enke feared he'd lose adopted daughter before train suicide

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:50 PM CST
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(Newser) – The German soccer star who committed suicide yesterday by jumping in front of a train had battled depression for years, his wife said today, with Robert Enke fearing he could lose his newly adopted daughter because of his condition. “We thought we could cope with everything. We thought that with love there would always be a way,” Teresa Enke said. “But sometimes you just can’t cope with everything.”

Robert Enke, 32 and on track to be the national team’s goalkeeper at next summer’s World Cup, was first treated for depression in 2003, the Independent reports, and the condition worsened in 2006, after he lost his 2-year-old daughter to a heart disease. He and his wife adopted a 3-month-old in May. “He was frightened about losing Leila because she had a depressive father,” his wife said. “I always tried to help him out of his anxiety, but it didn’t work.”

Widow Teresa Enke is seen during a press conference today.
Widow Teresa Enke is seen during a press conference today.   (AP Photo)
German keeper Robert Enke is seen in a 2008 photo.
German keeper Robert Enke is seen in a 2008 photo.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
northeast
Nov 16, 2009 1:43 AM CST
So much for optimism, Net.......
divetrader
Nov 15, 2009 2:58 AM CST
The story itself was sad. But the headline; "Depression Ate German Keeper" had me thinking some odd new force was discovered in Germany and that the Keepers were in deep do-do.
GeminiMishy
Nov 12, 2009 6:56 AM CST
There is absolutely no reason to belittle a mother who has lost her son in this way, Net. You can have your personal BELIEFS, but to be so cold and crass is unnecessary. Those of us who have freinds and family who have struggled with depression and suicide feel differently and know that each case is different than the last.
Sports • Health • World

 
suicide • adoption • depression • Germany • soccer • train • 2010 World Cup • goalkeeper • Robert Enke • Teresa Enke

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