Real lives and deaths behind sad roll call of public health services
WILLIAM’S STORY
William Houston killed himself after telling a psychiatrist he was depressed at being unable to work while furloughed. An inquest heard the 53-year-old had sold his car and gambled with the proceeds in a bid to end his money worries. But he lost everything.
He was under the care of a mental health crisis team following an earlier suicide attempt. Crisis worker James Pullen got to his home in Newent, Glos, on July 12 to find a note saying: “I’m sorry it ended this way.” Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust said Mr Houston’s risk of suicide had been assessed as “medium”.
MATTHEW’S STORY
The former head gardener at Wolterton Park, Matthew Gilbert, died aged just 47 in July last year. Bosses at the Norfolk country house said online: “He had been ill for some time. He did a fantastic job for us... we all miss him.”
IAN’S STORY
Under his stage name Tommy Fallon, country singer Ian Boycott toured the US, appearing at the Grand Ole Opry and befriending Johnny Cash.
Ian moved to Auckland, New Zealand, in 1983, returning to Staffordshire in 1991.
He turned pro in 2003 and had some chart success.
Former bandmate John Green said “live wire” Boycott struggled to quit booze and tobacco, and was hospitalised six times in 2013 alone, with minor strokes and stomach ulcers.
He died aged 66 in March last year, a week into lockdown, and Forest of Dean Council arranged a public health funeral for him.
ANDREW’S STORY
Church organist Andrew Ventin, 69, died in November. Liverpool City Council traced his family but said “nil funds” were available. Ten years ago, Andrew drew a crowd in Chester when he played a toy keyboard in a B&M store. He was carrying the sheet music for that Sunday’s service at St Andrew’s Church of Scotland in Liverpool and decided to get in some practice. Church clerk John Henderson said: “Andrew was so busy playing he barely noticed he was starting to attract the attention of a modest, but growing number of shoppers. “He found himself being encouraged to put down a hat for the store’s nominated charity.”
TOMASZ’S STORY
Polish handyman Tomasz Patrykiewicz, 51, died in May after a fall in Southampton. His landlord Dildar Bhatti said: “He was a lovely man.” He tripped on the stairs. The final photo he put online was of “my little granddaughter”.
AGRA & EDGAR
Mother and son Agra and Edgar Krauklitis died in a house fire in July last year. The pair, aged 64 and 32, had lived in Dover, Kent, for 10 years and Edgar was a factory worker. A spokesman for the fire service said: “It is believed to have started accidentally in the bedroom.” Agra’s son, and Edgar’s brother, Raimonds, who lives in Latvia, told a local newspaper: “I had hoped they wouldn’t be dead. “In 2013, our older brother died and a couple of months later, our father. “So only me, my brother and Mum remained, but now they have perished.”