Twelve Months to the Day After Her Death, I Became Someone Else

Please note: this story includes suicide loss, heavy drinking and drug use.

Todd Maguire was 25 when his partner, Karen, died by suicide. Months later, in a bar, he ran into an old friend who had gone undercover. Todd listened to the stories for a couple of hours. Then they told him about a course.

It was the first time in months he had something to look forward to. He felt like his life was over. He had nothing to lose.

Twelve months to the day after Karen's death, Todd became Donny Wilson. A new name on a piece of paper and a job up north. Donny had no worries. Todd had problems.

This is part of Todd's conversation on The Life Shift. He talks about the reckless years, the times he should not have survived, the day he realized he could not keep acting like Donny, and what his wife meant when she said it felt like walking on eggshells.

Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4frUMQnq88Q

Todd Maguire spent 27 years with the Queensland Police Service, largely as a detective, including two years undercover as "Donny Wilson." He is the author of the memoir Donny: Undercover Cop with a Deathwish.
Website: https://www.toddmaguire.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/todd_author_donny
Facebook: Todd Maguire

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