Inquest: Romsey man who 'enjoyed life' died from suicide, court rules

Joseph Godden, 28, of Westerling, died on Winchester Hill, Romsey, on Thursday, April 11, 2024, a court heard.

The inquest into his death was carried out at Winchester Coroners’ Court on Tuesday, April 29.

Addressing the court, Mr Godden’s mum, Janette, said her son “enjoyed life”, and that “he was a really loved friend” who enjoyed singing and songwriting and had previously won an award for work he had done with teenagers in Greece.

Mrs Godden said Joe, an aspiring musician, also did a lot of fundraising and charity work for mental health charities.

READ MORE: Inquest opens into the death of Romsey man Joseph Godden

Winchester Crown Court (Image: Contributed) She continued: “What I have gathered from friends is that he was the one they always turned to. If they needed help, they turned to Joe.”

Mrs Godden also said that her son struggled with both his mental health and alcohol, saying alcohol was his 'crutch' when things were going wrong.

The court heard that, on April 11, Mr Godden had appeared at magistrates’ court in connection with a driving offence, with Mrs Godden saying: “He was trying to sort his life out, he was applying for jobs.”

Dr Basil Purdue carried out a post-mortem on Mr Godden’s body on April 15.

In a statement read by area coroner Jason Pegg, Dr Purdue said Mr Godden had sustained multiple injuries, including rupturing his aorta and fracturing his leg in two places.

Dr Purdue said the injuries were consistent with Mr Godden jumping off a wall close to where his body was found, and that traces of a prescribed drug and alcohol were found in Mr Godden’s system. According to Dr Purdue, Mr Godden was 3.8 times over the drink drive limit.

In a read statement, Mollie Moon, one of Mr Godden’s friends, said she had been drinking with him following his court appearance, and that Mr Godden appeared to be in a good mood.

However, Ms Moon said that when she dropped him off at his home, he told her he was going to take his life, but she did not believe him.

READ MORE: What happens at an inquest and what can the press report?

In another read statement, Kirsty McCann said that she received a text from Mr Godden also saying that he was going to kill himself, and that “life has got the best of (him)”.

Concluding the inquest, Mr Pegg ruled that Mr Godden had died of suicide.

He said: “It is clear to me Joe was from a loving family and a close family that supported him through the problems that he struggled with, including his mental health.

“He was someone who enjoyed life; he was a loyal friend.”

Mr Pegg gave Mr Godden’s family his condolences.

If you would like any help with bereavement, loss or mental wellbeing, here are some helpline numbers: 

You can call the Samaritans on 116 123

Child Bereavement UK 0800 028 8840 childbereavementuk.org

Cruse Bereavement Care 0808 808 1677 cruse.org.uk 

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) 0300 111 5065 uksobs.org