Depressed policeman killed himself and son after lockdown cabin fever ‘drove him mad’

LOCKDOWN “cabin fever” led a depressed police officer to kill himself and his three-year-old son, an inquest heard yesterday.

Sgt David Louden, 39, of West Mercia Police, was found dead along with his son, Harrison, at their home in Kidderminster on Aug 13 last year, Worcestershire coroner’s court was told.

Their bodies were discovered after Mr Louden’s wife, Samantha, who was away from the home, alerted a friend that he was not answering her calls. Her husband and Harrison, who was suspected of being autistic, died of asphyxiation after inhaling a substance.

David Reid, a senior coroner, said: “When Covid struck, he had to shield himself for 12 weeks. It drove him mad – he had cabin fever. He did get some counselling from the police.

“He had been really down and really low. Dave was definitely withdrawn and shut down emotionally.”

He told the hearing that Mr Louden had been prescribed antidepressants but decided not to take them.

The inquest heard he wrote a text message to his wife, also a police officer, on the night of the deaths that was not sent. It read: “Sam I’m sending this two hours after the act. I’m so sorry I just can’t go on. My heart is breaking but the pressure became too much.

“I couldn’t see how this would get anything but worse but decided to visit the angels with Harrison.

“I hope they will let me in with him. I hope you will forgive me.” In another letter Mr Louden wrote to his sister, Debbie, saying: “Covid ruined everything including Harrison’s hopes of any proper support.”

Mr Reid reached a verdict that Harrison was unlawfully killed while Mr Louden died from suicide.