Drummer who took his own life suffered with tinnitus
THE WIFE of Inspiral Carpets drummer Craig Gill has told an inquest she does not know why he killed himself –but said he suffered from “unbearable” tinnitus which worsened in the weeks before he died.
Rose Marie Gill told a coroner how she discovered her 44-year-old husband hanging at their home in Greenfield, Greater Manchester, after returning with their children from a day-out.
Mrs Gill explained how her husband’s death had baffled everyone who knew him as he did not appear to have any concerns except for the severe tinnitus that had affected him for more than 20 years as result of his involvement in the music business.
She told the inquest in Heywood, Greater Manchester, that her husband had no history of depression or suicidal thoughts.
In a statement issued after the hearing, she said her husband’s tinnitus became “so unbearable he felt there was no cure” and urged more awareness of the problem and men’s mental health.
She said in the statement: “Instead of reaching out, on that day in November, Craig made the saddest and most tragic of decisions.”
Watched by other members of the Inspiral Carpets, Mrs Gill told the inquest how the whole family had set off early in the morning on Sunday November 18 last year and travelled to Media City, in Salford, to watch the recording of a children’s TV Christmas special.
She said that after they arrived at the studios, Mr Gill said it was not something he really wanted to do and they decided he would go home.
Mrs Gill described how she spoke to her husband on the phone during the day but he was not at the station to meet them.
She said she and the children walked the short distance home, where she made the terrible discovery.
Detective Inspector Ian Harratt said a police investigation had shown no sign of any disturbance at the house but also found no suicide note.
Recording an open conclusion, North Manchester Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley said she was sorry she could not offer the family an explanation for what happened.