A POLICE officer who took his own life just weeks after becoming a dad was “overwhelmed” by life and work pressures, an inquest heard.
Charlie Mitchell, 26, was tragically found dead at St Aidan’s Nature Reserve in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in June.
Charlie was reported missing by his heartbroken family after he was last seen leaving his home at around 4pm on June 21.
The next day, the young officer’s body was sadly discovered on a riverbank along the River Aire.
In the weeks prior to his death, Charlie had welcomed a baby with his partner and fellow officer, Brooklyn Smith.
Now, an inquest has heard the 26-year-old had struggled to cope with the demands of his job and becoming a parent.
Wakefield Coroner’s Court heard concerns had never previously been raised over Charlie’s mental health.
But the copper, who joined West Yorkshire Police in 2022, had recently undergone training to carry a taser.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
His mum, Shirley Mitchell, told the inquest the new responsibility had added pressure on Charlie at work.
In her statement, she said: “He had become paranoid about things, he was jumpy and apologised for things frequently”.
She explained his mental health began to decline in April, with the added stress of finances, a new baby and moving home.
The court also heard the young dad had struggled to cope following the deaths of his grandparents.
Months later, Charlie was prescribed antidepressants by his GP, Dr Taimur Mansoor.
Dr Mansoor told the inquest Charlie’s consultations had largely related to routine health concerns.
But, during an appointment in June, they discussed the prospect of counselling sessions.
They also spoke about medication for anxiety and depression during the consultation, which was “the first and last time” she saw Charlie.
DS Dean Hopley, also of West Yorkshire Police, told the inquest about Charlie’s “unusual” behaviour in the build-up to his death.
He told the court Charlie’s partner had seen him leave their house at around 4pm.
DS Hopley said: “Brooklyn expressed that this behaviour was out of character..
“…and that he was suffering from anxiety as he was overwhelmed.
“She noticed a knife was missing from the kitchen. She said ‘I know my boyfriend and he has gone to harm himself’.”
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
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Charlie’s dad, Mark Mitchell, later spotted his son’s vehicle in a car park near the nature reserve.
Mountain rescue teams and emergency crews were scrambled to the scene, with Charlie’s body discovered the following evening.
A verdict of suicide was recorded by area coroner Oliver Longstaff.
Mr Longstaff said: “Charlie has died as a result of an act he performed on himself.
“It is evident that this is a young man who is going to be missed enormously.
“I hope very much that over time it will be the good memories that have precedence in your minds.”
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN is on a quest to win his first ranking title in 21 months at the Xi’an Grand Prix.
O’Sullivan whitewashed Scotsman Stephen Maguire to progress to the last-16, having lost just one frame in this tournament so far.
The Rocket is back in action this afternoon against Jak Jones.
And he’ll be hoping to avoid an embarrassing defeat like champion Kyren Wilson, who was on the wrong end of a whitewash from Shaun Murphy.
This means there will certainly be a new champion come the conclusion of Monday’s final!
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A FURIOUS mum has come under fire after she moaned about the dinner her child gets at school.
The ”horrified” parent took to Mumsnet after she was appalled by the portion size – however, the moaning quickly backfired.
The mum explained that she had attended her daughter’s school for dinner with the parents and was gobsmacked by the ”tiny” amount they were served.
Some of the meals the outraged mum took snaps of included mash with gravy, veggies and turkey, as well rice with carrots, peas and chicken on the side.
Another meal, she shared in the post, consisted of mini potato waffles, baked beans, a slice of white bread, sausage, some ham and scrambled eggs.
The raging parent shared her disappointment on Mumsnet, claiming that the pupils normally get less than this.
”All they had was two scoops of mash (my daughter did say that it is usually just one scoop), the thinnest slice of turkey I have ever seen and a tablespoon of carrots with a drizzle of watery gravy.
”With a tiny pot of ice cream. When I was at school it was nothing like this.”
According to the parent, who lives in Shropshire, the meals were ”poor quality” and that even those in prison get served ”better” food.
”My daughter said it’s awful only meal she enjoys is pizza day. As soon as she gets in the car she’s crying saying she is hungry and keeps getting headaches.”
She went on: ”She has been asking for packed lunches for a long time but I’ve always refused.
”But today and going forward I will always make her a proper lunch.
”It just make’s you question what on earth is going on?
”How can that be a sufficient for a child at school for six hours?” the mum vented her anger, adding she forks out £3 for the dinners.
Uploaded just yesterday, the post has already racked up close to 250 comments – and heaps of fury from fellow parents on the forum.
CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help.
On person shamed the mum for her moaning and said: ”School dinners were never fine dining. Their role is to get the kids through the afternoon, not provide a gourmet experience.”
Someone else commented: ”I work in a dining hall in a school..so much food gets wasted.
”Most kids don’t need more than the amount you have described. Half of them won’t touch the carrots, the other half won’t eat the mash.”
”Those meals look ok to me. If they’ve had a good breakfast and have a good dinner when they get home I don’t see what the issue is?” a social media user was baffled.
However, there were also plenty of those who were just as appalled by the meals, with one critic dubbing the dinners ”cheap, processed, unseasoned slop”.
Another agreed, writing: ”Just another example of an area in which we have gone backwards!
”School lunches were all home cooked on the premises and plentiful in the 80s.”
Ukwazi School of Nursing Roodepoort Campus Details 2025-2026 Address: Horizon Office Park, 4 – 6 Kingfisher St, Horison, Roodepoort Telephone: 011-760-3098 Fax: 011-760-5567 Email: bella@ukwazi.co.za PRINCIPAL Ria van der Merwe is the principal of our Roodepoort campus. She is […]
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