Coroner gives condolences to Halifax family after son's tragic death

Jordan Sheils, 19, from Halifax had gone missing from his dad’s home the day before his body was found.

Bradford Coroner’s Court heard how police searched through the night after he sent concerning text messages to members of his family.

His body was discovered underneath North Bridge in the town by James Waddington who was walking back to his office from nearby Sainsbury’s supermarket. He was pronounced dead at 4.30pm on April 4 2017.#

The inquest heard in the weeks leading up to his death, Jordan had been living in Wolverhampton with his mum, Helen, who had been in the West Midlands for a few years.

They travelled back to Halifax so Jordan could spend time with his girlfriend Charlotte Summerscales during her birthday weekend.

In a written statement, Charlotte said that they enjoyed the weekend but they did argue as Jordan did not like her being friends with a group of men.

On April 3 2017 he returned to her house to pick up his key and she said that was the last time she saw him.

Jordan was staying with his dad, Joseph Davison, who last saw him in his bedroom at 9pm on April 3.

When Mr Davison got up at 11pm, he had received a concerning text message from his son. When he went to look in his bedroom he wasn’t there.

His mum and girlfriend had also received texts and Jordan’s sister Jade phoned the emergency services to report her brother was missing.

Detective Constable Darren Heald of Calderdale CID told the court that Jordan was a high risk missing person and officers searched through the night but could not find him until he was seen by a member of the public.

The toxicology report showed there were no drugs or alcohol in Jordan’s system at the time of his death. Pathologist Dr Knight concluded from the post mortem that a fall from a height resulted in multiple injuries which caused his death.

Jordan was described by family and friends as an outgoing and funny person who always had a smile on his face.

Senior Coroner Martin Fleming expressed his sympathy to the family.

He said: “I know your hearts are breaking. This has come as a bolt out of the blue to all of you.”

The coroner concluded that the cause of death was suicide.