Andrew James ‘AJ’ Thornton: Partner remembers much-loved Myponga business owner after his sudden death

The grieving girlfriend of a popular business owner in Myponga says the 31-year-old was her “soulmate” and best friend following his tragic death.

The last words Maddie Wells spoke to her partner were “I love you” before he tragically took his own life while she was working in the mines.

Andrew James Thornton, a Myponga shed business owner, died on May 29 while Maddie was working on the remote Carrapateena copper mine site, 164km north of Port Augusta.

Ms Wells said 31-year-old Mr Thornton, known as “AJ”, was her “soulmate” and had been battling mental illness for years.

She has vowed to raise awareness for Lifeline and urges those struggling to ask for help.

“If I can prevent one family or one partner, friend or colleague from having to feel the way I do, I will do it, and I’ll do it for AJ as well,” Ms Wells said.

“Nothing I can say will bring him back, but I just don’t want anyone else to have to go through this.”

AJ Thornton with partner Maddie Wells. AJ took his own life last Sunday. Picture: Supplied

Ms Wells said Mr Thornton had been battling mental health issues since they met just under three years ago. “I even saved him a number of times when I’d been able to be with him, but nobody thought he would actually do it,” she said.

“He got in emotional states and said he wanted to (take his own life), but because I was there, he never got to it. But nobody could always be there.”

Maddie said AJ – whose social media profile reads “H.O.P.E: Hold on pain ends” – ran a business, was a proud dog owner, enjoyed fishing and was very popular. She said she wished he knew how much he had been loved.

AJ Thornton is remembered as a great bloke and great fisherman. Picture: Facebook

“There’s a lot of emotions that go with it (losing someone to suicide),” she said.

“You’re lost, you’re empty, all your hopes and dreams and everything you’re working towards are gone.

“The only way anybody can handle it is day by day. If I can get out of bed and have a shower and eat some food, I think I’m doing well.

“You hear stories but you never think it’ll happen to you, but when it does, it’s life-changing.

“My life will never be the same.” Ms Wells said Mr Thorn­ton “had the biggest smile”, adding: “To anyone who met meet him, he seemed like the happiest person from the outside. You would never know he was in pain.”

She said they had planned to marry and have children.

Ms Wells will raise money by joining a fundraiser which challenges people to do one push-up for every life lost to suicide in Australia – 3139 in 2020. Mr Thornton’s life was remembered on Friday at a funeral service in Goolwa.

According toseveral studies and statistics, suicide is considered a rare cause of death in Australia but has a significant ripple effect on loved ones and friends.

To donate to the fundraiser, visit thepushupchallenge.com.au/fundraiser/maddiewells
If you are having thought of suicide talk to a GP of health professional.Lifeline 13 11 14 and lifeline.org.au