Gaming and time with James
Justin enjoyed gaming and shared GTA sessions with his brother James, part of the everyday memories that made him so loved at home.
Memorial and awareness page
Remembering Justin Chappell while sharing clear epilepsy guidance.
Justin was remembered by the people who loved him as a gentle giant, full of kindness, humour, warmth, and loyalty. This page honours his life and turns remembrance into practical awareness, with calm information about epilepsy and the first aid people should know if they witness a seizure.
WHO overview
50 million
people worldwide are affected by epilepsy.
Justin’s age
28
He was only 28 years old and is remembered with enormous love.
Emergency threshold
5 minutes
Call 999 if the seizure goes beyond this and you do not know their usual pattern.
Remembering Justin
A tribute shaped by love, football, travel, family, and the ordinary joys that made him himself.
Justin died suddenly after an epileptic seizure. In his memory, this page brings together remembrance and practical knowledge so that more people feel informed, prepared, and compassionate when epilepsy touches a family.
“
He was a gentle giant with an old soul, full of kindness, warmth, humour, and fun.
Family tribute
What people remember
Justin was described as a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend who made people feel welcome straight away. He was happy, fun, loyal, and easy to be around, the sort of person whose kindness stayed with people after they met him.
His life
Justin loved Manchester City, travel, gaming, nights out, family time, and making people laugh.
A lifelong Manchester City fan and season-ticket holder, Justin followed the club passionately and travelled to matches in the UK and abroad. Football was part of how he connected with people and shared joy.
He enjoyed gaming too, including GTA with his brother James, and he loved simple, happy routines such as getting a takeaway, going for a kebab, or spending relaxed time with family.
Justin also loved going out with the boys and travelling, including trips to Thailand. Those memories, alongside his humour and warmth, are part of what people hold onto most strongly now.
His story
Justin lived with epilepsy from the age of 13, and the people who loved him never saw his condition as the whole of who he was.
Public tributes have also shared that Justin had Asperger’s Syndromeand had been born at just 24 weeks, later being described as a “miracle baby”. Those details help tell the story of a life that began with real courage.
But the stronger memory is not only the hardship. It is the man his family and friends knew: sociable, fun, caring, football-mad, and happiest when surrounded by people he loved.
Some memorial details on this page reflect information shared by Justin’s family, additional personal memories provided for this tribute, and public reporting in the Manchester Evening News.
More of Justin
A gallery of the life people remember: football, family, laughter, holidays, and nights out.
These images help the tribute feel personal. They show the variety of Justin’s life, from family photographs and Manchester City moments to travel, evenings out, and the everyday memories that matter most.
The things he enjoyed
Football and Manchester City
He followed Manchester City passionately, watched matches whenever he could, and made football part of his friendships and family life.
Travel and Thailand
He loved going abroad, especially trips to Thailand, and travelling gave him some of the happiest memories shared by family and friends.
Nights out and simple favourites
Justin enjoyed going out with the boys, having a laugh, and also the simple pleasures of takeaways, kebabs, and relaxed time with the people around him.
Understanding epilepsy
Clear information can reduce fear, stigma, and confusion.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes repeated seizures. Seizures happen because of sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain, and they can look very different from one person to another. Some involve convulsions, while others can show up as brief loss of awareness, unusual movements, stiffness, or changes in sensation.
One seizure on its own does not automatically mean epilepsy. Many people living with epilepsy can manage seizures successfully with treatment and support, and better public understanding plays an important part in safety, dignity, and inclusion.
Neurological condition
Epilepsy affects the brain and can present in many different ways.
Affects all ages
Epilepsy can affect children, young people, and adults.
Support makes a difference
Calm first aid, medical care, and reduced stigma all matter.
A careful reminder
Epilepsy is not contagious, and no one should be defined only by their diagnosis.
Respect, calm response, and accurate information help people stay safer and feel less alone.
Seizure first aid
What to do if someone has a seizure.
Witnessing a seizure can be frightening, but the most important response is often a calm one. These steps reflect public guidance from the NHS and Epilepsy Action.
Emergency help
Call 999 if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, repeats without recovery, or breathing becomes difficult.
01
Stay calm and stay with the person.
If you witness a seizure, remain nearby, speak calmly, and keep others around them composed. Your steady presence matters.
02
Protect from injury.
Move dangerous objects away, cushion their head if they are on the ground, and only move them if they are in immediate danger.
03
Time the seizure.
Note when it starts and when it finishes. Knowing the length of the seizure helps you decide when urgent medical help is needed.
04
Do not restrain them and do not put anything in their mouth.
Contrary to common myths, you should never hold someone down or place fingers, food, drink, or objects in their mouth.
05
After the convulsions stop, turn them onto their side.
Once the seizure has finished, place them in the recovery position if you can and loosen tight clothing around the neck.
06
Stay until they are fully recovered.
Many people are tired, confused, or disoriented after a seizure. Reassure them and give them time to recover safely.
When to call an ambulance
It is the person's first seizure.
The seizure lasts more than five minutes, or longer than usual for them.
They have repeated seizures without fully regaining consciousness.
They are seriously injured during the seizure.
They have difficulty breathing after the seizure.
Helpful extra notes
If the person is in a wheelchair, put the brakes on, support them gently, and cushion the head if possible.
After the seizure, they may feel exhausted or confused. Reassure them, give them space, and stay nearby until they are themselves again.
If you know the person has a care plan and you are trained to follow it, use that guidance. Not everyone with epilepsy needs an ambulance every time they have a seizure.
Myths and facts
A few important corrections to common misunderstandings.
Myth
All seizures look the same.
Fact
Some seizures involve convulsions, but others can appear as brief staring, changes in awareness, stiffness, or unusual movements.
Myth
You should put something in a person's mouth during a seizure.
Fact
You should never put anything in someone's mouth during a seizure. The priority is safety, timing, and recovery positioning afterward.
Myth
One seizure always means epilepsy.
Fact
A single seizure does not automatically mean epilepsy. Diagnosis depends on the wider clinical picture and should be assessed by professionals.
Myth
Epilepsy is contagious.
Fact
Epilepsy is not contagious. It is a neurological condition affecting people of all ages.
Support and trusted resources
Where to go next for clear information and help.
This page is designed as a respectful starting point. For personal medical advice, diagnosis, or ongoing epilepsy support, contact appropriate health professionals or trusted organisations.
In Justin’s memory
Remembering Justin is also a reminder that awareness saves panic, compassion eases fear, and knowing the basics of seizure first aid can make a difficult moment safer.
NHS
NHS seizure guidance
Clear advice on what to do if someone has a seizure and when to call 999.
Epilepsy Action
Epilepsy Action first aid
Practical UK guidance on helping someone during different types of seizures.
World Health Organization
WHO overview of epilepsy
A concise global overview of epilepsy, stigma, treatment, and prevention.