Family’s agony after 26-year-old’s suicide

Jan 28 2008 South Wales Echo

A VALLEYS mother will never know why her 26-year-old son took his own life.

Gareth Steven Passmore, described as “a special, hardworking and a lovely boy”, was found hanged at his home in Maesycynon, Hirwaun, Aberdare, on August 2, last year.

An inquest into his death held in Merthyr Tydfil heard his body was discovered by his brother Andrew in the attic of they home they shared.

He had seen his brother before going to work that morning but had returned home early after his stepfather Kevin Jones rang him to say he was concerned about Gareth.

In a statement read to the inquest Andrew said: “I could tell he was dead. I panicked, I was in shock. I could not believe what had happened. I ran out into the street.”

His stepfather and brother Scott were pulling up at the house and the police were called.

“There had been no signs shown by Gareth over the last five weeks which would have indicated he would want to commit suicide,” said Andrew.

“I was not aware of any threats, debts, love problems or mental health issues.”

The inquest heard Gareth worked for the Authentic Curry Company in Aberdare for three years and was usually picked up at 5.40am.

He had slept late the day before and hadn’t gone into work.

Deputy coroner Geoff Thomas asked family members, “‘Do we know why?”

‘“No,”’ replied distraught mum, Catherine.

The coroner asked if anyone knew of any problems he had and whether he had attempted anything like this before.

Mrs Jones told the coroner that the only thing that could have upset her son was the death of his grandfather that February.

Gareth had lived with him at the his home at the Tramway before his death, explained his mother.

It upset them all but she thought Gareth took it worst because he lived with him.

“He had to move out of the house because the solicitor sent him letters saying he had to vacate it because the house hadhas got to be sold,” she said.

“I don’t think Gareth really settled in Maesycynon.”

“It’s so not like him not to go to work.”

The inquest was told death was caused by asphyxia due to hanging. There was no evidence of alcohol or drugs that might have influenced Gareth’s decision.

Recording a verdict that Gareth took his own life, the deputy coroner said: “The reasons will never, ever be known to us.

“This is very tragic case and I think it is probably aggravated for you by all the publicity that’s going on at the moment with all the incidents in the Bridgend area.

“This case is not unusual, I’m afraid. I have sat in other cases where people persons have taken their own life and there is very little evidence why they have done it.

“I’m afraid it is another one of those cases and we are really not going to know the answerwhy.,” he added.

“I’ll never know,” sobbed Gareth’s mum.