A VETERAN took his own life following the “unexplained” death of his eight-month-old granddaughter he was caring for, an inquest heard.
Peter Pile was consumed by grief after his “little sidekick” Tilly-May Pile suddenly passed away.
Peter Pile/ Triangle NewsPeter Pile took hid own life following the death of his granddaughter[/caption]
The youngster had been sleeping with Peter’s wife Jodie after falling ill with chicken pox-like spots.
She had two doses of Calpol nine hours apart but woke up unsettled at 3am so Jodie moved her to the crook of her arm to sleep.
The gran checked on Tilly-May several times throughout the evening but Peter woke up at 8am to find the baby’s lips were blue.
Experts could find no cause for Tilly-May’s death in August 2023 and no evidence she had died from an infection or was overlain by Jodie.
Coroner Andrew Cox said at the time of her inquest that some babies just die suddenly and a pathologist could not find a cause of death.
An inquest into Peter’s death heard he and Jodie had been looking after the baby full-time with their daughter – Tilly-May’s mum – having supported visits.
Following her death, the Army veteran would make heartbreaking statements about needing to “be with Tilly”.
Peter visited his local GP and was prescribed an anti-depressant after expressing suicidal thoughts.
In his last consultation with the practice, on March 1, 2024, Peter told his doctor that he felt he was making good progress and was attending a cookery class.
On Christmas Day, 2024, Jodie said Peter was “fine” and they had watched Gavin and Stacey together in the evening.
The following day, his mood became “low” but he insisted he was fine and that he just wanted to watch the football on TV.
His son Ethan, who was visiting with his girlfriend, went upstairs to check on Peter but found he bedroom door couldn’t be opened.
He eventually managed to barge his way in and found his dad unresponsive so began performing CPR.
Jodie told the court she took over but she “knew he’d gone” already.
The inquest heard police found nothing suspicious and his caused of death was given as asphyxiation due to hanging.
A toxicology report found Peter had a blood alcohol level of 178mg per 100ml, around twice the drink drive limit, and there were traces of his anti-depressant drug.
Assistant coroner for Cornwall Emma Hillson recorded a verdict of suicide.
How to get help
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.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
She said: “Tilly’s death had a significant impact on the family, and Pete had made suicidal comments to police investigating her death.
“On evidence I heard today I find on balance of probabilities, Pete took his own life and he intended to do so.
“I feel it was an intentional act for following reasons – he took deliberate steps and actions, disclosed suicidal thoughts previously, albeit while denying any intention to act on this.
“It was known he was struggling with recent life events and this was a particularly difficult time of year for Peter. On the balance of probabilities, I find suicide.”
Peter had joined the army at the age of 18 and served in Northern Ireland and Germany.
He later left the forces before signing up again in 2010 to complete his service, where he remained until 2014.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Peter Pile/ Triangle NewsTilly-May died suddenly in August 2023[/caption]
Facebook/Yasmin PileVeteran Peter, pictured in the Army, had struggled to cope[/caption]
Peter Pile/ Triangle NewsHe took his own life on Boxing Day[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
