Tributes paid to chef who took own life
TRIBUTES have flooded in for a “fun-loving” chef after his sudden death at the age of 39.
Karl Goffett took his own life at his home in Southport last August after battles with mental health.
At his inquest on Wednesday, February 10, the court was told Karl fell from the window of a property on Scarisbrick New Road, Southport.
The popular son, brother and uncle was known by many in the town and worked at the Hungry Horse pub on Southport waterfront.
Sister Emma Furness, who attended the inquest at Bootle Town Hall, afterwards said: “Karl was really fun-loving.
“He liked being the centre of attention, he was the one who would get the party started.
“Karl lived for his nieces and his nephews, they all looked up to Uncle Karl, he had all the time in the world for them. He was great, the best.”
The 39-year-old had struggled with depression and was discovered at around 8.15pm on August 16. He was rushed to hospital where he later died.
Toxicology tests showed Mr Goffett was “severely intoxicated” at the time, about three times the drink-driving limit, the court heard.
Coroner’s officer Andrea Walton, reading from medical reports, said he suffered a history of “problematic alcohol drinking and depression”.
Karl had been a chef for many years, his family said, and had three sisters and a brother.
Sister Emma, 45, added: “Karl worked six or seven days a week, he was a grafter. When he did have a day off, he would spend it with his family, which was his life. He was also really talented at drawing.
“The last six months have been horrible without him, I was very close to my brother and his next of kin.
“I was one of the few people who saw behind his mask, to see the worried and troubled lad he sometimes was, but to most people his passing was a massive shock.”
Emma is currently walking 10,000 steps every day, for 40 days, to mark her brother’s 40th birthday, which was earlier this month on February 4.
The money raised will go to Paul’s Place in Liverpool, a charity which provides free one-toone and group counselling sessions for the families left behind in the wake of a suicide. Emma said of the service: “You’re not put on 12 month waiting lists. They are a necessary service.”
Speaking of the well-publicised gaps in mental health provision in the UK, she added: “Obviously, the country is focused on Covid at the moment. But there needs to be a shake-up of the system for mental health as people are waiting months and months when they need to talk to people.”
Coroner Julie Goulding heard evidence that Mr Goffett had sent a text message to his sister that mentioned his intention to selfharm.
His cause of death was given as head injuries and a conclusion of suicide was recorded.
To donate to Emma’s cause, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-furness4