Police checks ‘sufficient’ in suicide case

Kent Police responded appropriately to concerns about a man who went on to kill himself at a Maidstone hotel a week later, a watchdog has found.

Graham Phelps, 62, was found dead at the Grange Moor Hotel in St Michael’s Road on December 19, having died of alcohol poisoning.

An inquest heard the unemployed surveyor was estranged from his family, effectively homeless and had been surviving on dwindling resources in the run up to his death. Several notes were discovered in the hotel room alongside pills, razors and rope.

A coroner concluded the death of Mr Phelps to be suicide and the case was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for investigation.

Investigators reviewed call logs, pocket notebook entries and actions of the investigating officer.

They found Mr Phelps’ brother had contacted the force a week earlier after receiving a number of worrying emails and letters.

The investigation concluded Kent Police made sufficient checks and inquiries in the run up to the death and it would have been ‘“very difficult” to locate Mr Phelps in the circumstances.

No further action will be taken.

If you would like confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time