A new father took his own life after being ‘broken’ by his son’s death and a subsequent police investigation, an inquest has heard.
Stuart Nineham and his partner Jodie Chainey were arrested after their baby Roman died at 13 days old in mysterious circumstances in January last year.
Ms Chainey found Mr Nineham dead three months later in a park in Southampton.
Detectives eventually found no evidence of neglect and the investigation was dropped, but Mr Nineham never found out his name was to be cleared.
Roman, who was born prematurely on Christmas Eve 2023 and released from hospital a week before his death, had not suffered any injuries, a Home Office pathologist told the inquest.
There was no medical evidence to establish a cause of death, and a concludion of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SIDS) was later recorded following investigations by doctors and police.
The inquest heard Roman was being looked after by Mr Nineham on the night the baby died.
Coroner Christopher Wilkinson told the hearing: ‘It would seem more likely than not, Stuart Nineham had fallen asleep while Roman had slept and Roman’s death occurred while both were asleep in the early hours of the morning.’
He said the pressures of the police investigation and the ‘public perception’ of Roman’s death led to ‘division’ and rows between the parents.
Mr Nineham began having suicidal thoughts soon after Roman’s death.
He started ‘self-medicating’ with alcohol and drugs and owed money to his dealer, the hearing was told.
Some time in the run-up to Mr Nineham’s death, Ms Chainey found out she was pregnant again.
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Mr Wilkinson added: ‘All of this came as a perfect storm and all it needed was one further argument and even possibly the news that his partner is again pregnant.’
Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Wilkinson said: ‘Tragically, Stuart, along with his partner and the wider family were distraught by the death of his son Roman.
‘We know he was struggling with that loss profoundly and the significant impact that had on Stuart.’
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