Mother testifies about son's struggles before his death in Midland murder trial

Chris Forrester’s mother took the witness stand on Friday in the second-degree murder trial of a man accused of killing her son three years ago.

She described her son as a man battling severe anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, conditions he managed with medication, including an antipsychotic drug once a month.

“If Chris didn’t take his pills, I stayed away from him,” she told the courtroom. “It was devastating to me, because I didn’t know how to help him.”

Forrester had been living in a mobile home he rented from Rick Patrick for roughly a year before his death.

Tensions reportedly flared when Patrick filed a $10,000 claim for overdue rent with the Landlord Tenant Board, giving Forrester three weeks to pay or face eviction.

• Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
• Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox

Forrester’s mother helped him secure a bank draft for the overdue amount, and testified an inspection of the mobile home by Patrick and two other men shortly afterward left her son feeling violated and distressed.

“He just wanted to be left alone. After I paid the money, I thought things were going to get better,” she said.

Chris Forrester died after being fatally stabbed in Midland, Ont., on Dec. 16, 2024.

Forrester’s mother testified her son’s mental state deteriorated quickly following the inspection.

“Christopher was going crazy. He was having a nervous breakdown. Something snapped. He wasn’t right after that,” she explained.

She told the courtroom Forrester sought treatment at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health in Penetanguishene and they believed he had borderline personality disorder.

Despite his struggles, his mother testified he was upbeat during their last phone call on the night he died, excited about Christmas with the family.

Earlier this week, the court heard the 911 call Patrick made, admitting he stabbed Forrester because he “tried to attack me.”

In the call, Patrick told the dispatcher Forrester ran at him because he was going to be evicted.

Forrester suffered a single stab wound to the chest. The 36-year-old man died at the scene within minutes. Patrick is claiming self-defence.

The three-week trial is scheduled to resume on Monday.