Francis Mossman's heartbroken friend urges others to 'look for the signs' after his death at 33

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    Francis Mossman’s tragic death over the weekend sent shockwaves through the acting community, as it emerged the actor was struggling to cope with the uncertainty of lockdown at the time of his passing. 

    The New Zealand-born soap star, who lived alone in Erskineville, Sydney, was found dead aged 33 on Saturday following a quiet battle with his mental health.

    Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Director Pierre-Nicolas Pansci recalled the moment he thought ‘caring and handsome’ Francis was battling demons underneath his happy exterior. 

    Tragic loss: Since the news of his passing, Francis Mossman's (R) close friend Pierre-Nicolas Pansci (L) spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the actor, before recalling the moment he thought Francis might have been battling demons underneath his happy exterior

    Tragic loss: Since the news of his passing, Francis Mossman’s (R) close friend Pierre-Nicolas Pansci (L) spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the actor, before recalling the moment he thought Francis might have been battling demons underneath his happy exterior

    Pierre, who knew Francis for six years and lived in the same suburb as him, recalled seeing the Shortland Street star earlier this year towards the end of summer.

    ‘He mentioned that he was feeling a bit off lately, but he covered it by pushing me to be more positive,’ he said. 

    ‘Then he said that I was “lucky to be good looking”, as he found it hard to meet someone. It did hit me a bit – he was not happy.’

    Pierre went on to say that he offered Francis a part in his upcoming paranormal movie, and he agreed and was ‘excited to do something different’. 

    He never got the chance to film his scenes. 

    The last time he saw Francis was a few weeks before his passing at a fruit and vegetable store, but Pierre was busy and thought he would ‘say hello next time’.

    Loss: The New Zealand-born actor, who lived alone in Erskineville, Sydney, was found dead on Saturday following a quiet battle with his mental health

    Loss: The New Zealand-born actor, who lived alone in Erskineville, Sydney, was found dead on Saturday following a quiet battle with his mental health 

    Difficult times: Pierre added that the pandemic has undoubtedly made everything more difficult for those struggling -'especially for those who live alone'

    Difficult times: Pierre added that the pandemic has undoubtedly made everything more difficult for those struggling – ‘especially for those who live alone’

    ‘I felt his look has faded a bit, but I remember telling myself: “Leave him alone, that’s his personal matter what he does or feels right now,”‘ he said.

    ‘Adding to that, it was lockdown, so I thought – next time, I’ll text him. I didn’t. I was going to, but not soon enough.’

    He added that the pandemic has undoubtedly made everything more difficult for those struggling, ‘especially for those who live alone’.

    Pierre said he hopes there will be a deeper conversation about mental health, and encourages people to check in on their friends and read into any signs of darkness – however small they may be.

    ‘It’s sad to think they think no one cares,’ Pierre said. ‘Family, friends, neighbours… ask often. Check, call, help, be there. 

    Gone too soon: Pierre added that he hopes Francis' death will spark a deeper conversation about mental health, and encourage people to check in on their friends and read into any signs of darkness - however small they may be

    Gone too soon: Pierre added that he hopes Francis’ death will spark a deeper conversation about mental health, and encourage people to check in on their friends and read into any signs of darkness – however small they may be

    ‘I lost my best friend few months ago and another friend last year, both for the same reason – so this time this hit me again, doubling the pain.’

    Francis was fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and itching to get back to work before his death.

    But the lockdowns seemed never-ending and he was struggling to keep positive, particularly after the death of his five-year-old dog, Hoff, back in May.

    After Hoff’s death, Francis candidly revealed he experienced regular bouts of unhappiness which were usually satiated by man’s best friend.

    ‘I constantly experience a bit of unhappiness, but knowing I had Hoff gave me so much comfort. I never cry, but the last two days I have been crying uncontrollably,’ he said at the time of Hoff’s death.

    'I constantly experience a bit of unhappiness': Frankie had also experienced heartbreak recently following the death of his five-year-old dog Hoff, who was hit by a car in May

    ‘I constantly experience a bit of unhappiness’: Frankie had also experienced heartbreak recently following the death of his five-year-old dog Hoff, who was hit by a car in May

    Tragic: A photo of Francis as a child was shared to his Instagram account on Friday, alongside a caption that read:'Who knew this boy would endure so much pain'

    Tragic: A photo of Francis as a child was shared to his Instagram account on Friday, alongside a caption that read: ‘Who knew this boy would endure so much pain’

    He’d joked in another post that he was ‘excited’ about another four weeks of lockdown while staring deadpan at the camera.

    Francis’ death was announced on Saturday by several LGBTQ websites, including Queer Screen Australia and Stonewall Hotel.

    A post was shared to his Instagram account on Friday, presumably by a friend or family member, acknowledging his death.

    Loss: His death was announced on Saturday by several LGBTQ websites, including Queer Screen Australia and Stonewall Hotel

    Loss: His death was announced on Saturday by several LGBTQ websites, including Queer Screen Australia and Stonewall Hotel

    Heartache: Queer Screen wrote on Facebook,'Queer Screen was saddened to hear of the passing of actor Frankie Mossman. Moving from Auckland to Sydney in 2012, Frankie was a well-known member of our LGBTIQ+ community, appearing in numerous NZ and Australian productions'

    Heartache: Queer Screen wrote on Facebook, ‘Queer Screen was saddened to hear of the passing of actor Frankie Mossman. Moving from Auckland to Sydney in 2012, Frankie was a well-known member of our LGBTIQ+ community, appearing in numerous NZ and Australian productions’

    Alongside a photo of Francis as a child, the caption read: ‘Who knew this boy would endure so much pain.’

    Francis was born in New Zealand, where he began his acting career on the popular soap opera Shortland Street in 2007.

    He moved to Sydney in 2012, and went on to appear in the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

    For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on: 13 11 14

    Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

    Popular: Francis was born in New Zealand, where he began his acting career on the popular soap opera Shortland Street in 2007. He moved to Sydney in 2012, and went on to appear in the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand

    Popular: Francis was born in New Zealand, where he began his acting career on the popular soap opera Shortland Street in 2007. He moved to Sydney in 2012, and went on to appear in the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand

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