James Morrison’s ex-partner left warning note on door before suicide
The former partner of James Morrison, the singer-songwriter, left a note on her door saying “don’t come in, call the police” before taking her own life, an inquest heard.
Gill Catchpole, 45, was found dead by Mr Morrison at her home in Whitminster, Gloucestershire, on Jan 5 this year.
Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court heard a friend had gone to Ms Catchpole’s home and found the handwritten note on A4 paper attached to the front door.
The friend then went to the adjacent property where Mr Morrison lived and alerted him. The musician used his keys to enter Ms Catchpole’s home and found her body.
Police and paramedics were called, and Ms Catchpole, who had a history of mental health problems, was pronounced dead at 9.37am.
Detective Sergeant David Kania, who investigated the sudden death, ruled out any third-party involvement.
He said in a statement: “A friend of the deceased had attended when they saw a sheet of A4 sheet of paper with the words written, ‘Don’t come in, call the police.’
“The friend went to the house and raised the ex-partner, who located a set of keys to the annexe house whereupon they entered and found the deceased.
“Upon entering the living room, I saw a series of handwritten notes on the lounge table which were addressed to the deceased’s ex-partner, family and friends.
“There were no signs of a disturbance or third-party involvement. It has been relayed to me that close friends and family had indicated that Gill had been suffering with her mental health for the last year or so and since the split from her ex-partner.
“It is likely that this had a further negative detrimental impact on her mental health which culminated in her taking actions which led to her untimely death.”
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as “ligature suspension”.
Toxicology tests found Ms Catchpole had an alcohol level of 190mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal drink drive limit is 80mg per 100ml of blood.
The inquest heard the toxicologist was unable to determine whether, or to what degree, Ms Catchpole’s alcohol level had affected her state of mind.
The inquest was told Ms Catchpole had suffered from kidney disease since 2008 and had had a kidney transplant.
In a written statement, Dr Emma Basker, her GP, said she had also suffered from “recurring mental ill-health”, including anxiety and PTSD, and had received medication, counselling and psychological therapy.
Roland Wooderson, the Gloucestershire coroner, recorded a conclusion of suicide.
“It is entirely clear to me that the contents of those notes indicate that Gill unfortunately was in a very difficult place at the time of her death,” he said.
Ms Catchpole’s friends and family members, including her mother, father and stepfather, who attended the hearing did not comment as they left.
