Indecent images arrest contributed to suicide of Sheffield son weeks after mum and grandmother's deaths

A jury ruled there was no ‘single factor’ that led a Sheffield man to take his life on the train tracks two months after the deaths of his mum and grandmother.
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Liam Scott Parker, of Charnock Crescent, Charnock, died on April 20, 2016, after he was hit by a train. He was 22.

His death came two months after he discovered the bodies of his mum and grandmother - Julie Hill, 51, and Rose Hill, 75.

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The women were killed by Julie’s nephew, Christopher Whelan, 21, who was jailed for life with a 15 year minimum term after pleading guilty to two counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Julie and Rose Hill were killed by Julie's nephew Christopher Whelan in 2016. Today, a inquest opened into the death of Julie's son Liam Parker, who died on train tracks seven weeks after he was the one to discover their bodies.Julie and Rose Hill were killed by Julie's nephew Christopher Whelan in 2016. Today, a inquest opened into the death of Julie's son Liam Parker, who died on train tracks seven weeks after he was the one to discover their bodies.
Julie and Rose Hill were killed by Julie's nephew Christopher Whelan in 2016. Today, a inquest opened into the death of Julie's son Liam Parker, who died on train tracks seven weeks after he was the one to discover their bodies.
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Inquest begins into death of Sheffield son who died on train tracks after findin...

A week long inquest at Chesterfield Coroner's Court concluded yesterday that Liam intended to take his own life when he died.

After finding his mum drowned in a bathtub and his grandmother strangled, he made an anguished 999 call to raise the alarm.

He then spent 13 hours at a police station as a “significant witness,” where his clothes, shoes and phone were taken for forensic examination.

Christopher Whelan pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility due to his mental health. He was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years.Christopher Whelan pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility due to his mental health. He was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years.
Christopher Whelan pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility due to his mental health. He was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years.
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Detective Constable Michael Wallis said: “[Liam] wasn’t happy about it but he understood.”

The jury heard Liam had suffered with depression from an early age.

The day before his death, he was arrested and questioned by Derbyshire police over allegations of possessing indecent images and possession of cannabis.

On the day he was released, he accessed the train tracks in Shirebrook where he took his life. A note was found in his pocket.

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The jury concluded that “nobody involved before or after his release had any causes for concern regarding his safety”.

While he was in custody, risk assessments were carried out in line with guidance in place in 2016. However, neither the officers involved with the case or Liam’s solicitor were aware of these new processes.

The jury concluded that the time and place of the risk assessments being carried out following Liam’s interview was not ideal.

The jury entered a conclusion of suicide, ruling: “There was no evidence that any single factor contributed more significantly than others to Liam’s decision.”

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