Grandfather devastated at loss of wife to cancer

ARUNCORN grandfather took his own life after avoiding a family Christmas holiday and suffering the loss of his wife several years earlier.

Warrington Coroner’s Court heard last Wednesday, July 15, that Barry Wilcock, 68, was found in his garage by his daughter Leanne Wilcock on December 28.

While the rest of the family had headed away to spend Christmas in a holiday home, Barry had stayed behind at home on Roland Avenue, telling relatives he wanted to spend the period in ‘quiet contemplation as he had done every year since his wife had died’ and was due to meet an old friend from work for an annual get-together on December 27.

He had written his funeral service on a laptop, including , readings, hymns and songs and he had even purchased the CDs and labelled them’.

Peter Sigee, assistant coroner for Cheshire, read a statement from Leanne to the court in which she said her father had ‘suffered low mood’ and was ‘devastated’ following the loss of his wife Lynn in 2014 to cancer. Leanne was not aware of ‘any significant medical history’ or selfharm, and Barry could be ‘the life and soul of the party’ but would sometimes appear to feel ‘guilty’ at doing so without his wife.

Barry’s daughters had tried to keep him involved in family activities but noticed a change in him towards the end of 2019, and thought it might be because his 50th wedding anniversary was approaching.

A relative falling ill cut the Christmas holiday away short, and they did not try contacting him on December 27 as they thought he would be out with his friend.

When the family member’s illness deteriorated, Barry did not pick up any calls.

Leanne went to the house on Roland Avenue to pick him up to give him a lift to hospital.

At the house the Christmas tree lights were on and she found a letter from her father and keys to the garage, where – after calling the emergency services as she read the letter – she found him deceased.

He was sat with a lit candle, which matched his annual ritual of lighting a candle for his wife at Christmas.

Dr Dillshad Shareef, pathologist, found the cause of death to be asphyxia and paracetamol toxicity, based on toxicology tests that suggested Barry had consumed ‘excess’ paracetamol and possibly alcohol prior to death.

Mr Sigee read a statement from Georgina Dry, one of Barry’s neighbours, who said heard ‘two loud bangs’ outside at about 8.30pm while she was watching TV on Boxing Day.

She went outside and stood by her front door but did not see anything unusual.

The garage door was slightly ajar at Barry’s house but this was not unusual and she went back inside.

Police investigated the scene and Detective Sergeant John Rhodes ‘did not deem there to be any suspicious circumstances’ and concluded ‘there appeared to have been premeditated planning on Mr Wilcock’s behalf’. Mr Sigee recorded a conclusion that Barry Wilcock, born in Widnes in 1951, took his own life at home on Roland Avenue.

Cause of death was asphyxia and paracetamol toxicity.

The coroner read his condolences to Mr Wilcock’s family and friends into the record.