Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Tragic schoolgirl’s ‘funny and kind’ father found dead
The father of rail tragedy teenager Taiyah Peebles has been found dead.
The body of Paul Butters was discovered at an address in Wellington Crescent, Ramsgate, at the weekend.
It comes a month after his 16-year-old daughter Taiyah died on the tracks at Herne Bay station. The Canterbury schoolgirl is thought to have been electrocuted.
Mr Butters’ former partner and Taiyah’s mum, Hayley Peebles, of Spenser Road, Herne Bay, said: “We are all completely shocked and saddened and feel for his family, especially coming so soon after Taiyah’s death.
“I had not seen him for years but he was invited to her funeral and would have been welcomed, but didn’t come.
“It’s difficult to know what happened at this stage until there’s been a proper investigation.”
Mr Butters, a barman and waiter, used to work at the Roost Restaurant and Bar in Cliftonville.
Posting on the business’s website, staff said: “We were extremely sad to learn of the death of our former colleague and friend, Paul, over the weekend. Our thoughts go out to all those affected by his death. No one should have to struggle alone.”
They are urging support of the mental health charity MIND and have set up a fundraising appeal for the charity at mind.org.uk
Mr Butters’ friend Robin Hyman said: “Paul was truly a thoughtful, funny, kind and helpful person with such a sensitive soul.
‘He would help anyone. Many a glass will be raised in his honour, for sure.”
A police spokesman said officers were called to a report that a man in his 30s had been found dead at a private address in Wellington Crescent at 4.55pm on Sunday, August 27.
The circumstances are not suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
More than 300 family members and friends attended Taiyah’s funeral at Thanet Crematorium on August 18.
She was a pupil at the Spires Academy and was going on to study art and design at Canterbury College.
An inquest into her death is also being planned.