Wife found musician hanged in bedroom

CRAIG Gill's former bandmates, from left, Tom Hingley, Stephen Holt and Clint Boon after the inquest

THE wife of the Inspiral Carpets musician Craig Gill told an inquest how she discovered her husband hanged in a bedroom at their Saddleworth home.

Rose Marie Gill found drummer Craig, who was 44, in an unresponsive condition after returning home to Greenfield with their children from a TV show at Media City in November.

The musician, who later operated Manchester Music Tours and helped organise gigs at Oldham's Tokyo Project club, had accompanied his family to Salford earlier that day - but then changed his mind and returned home, Mrs Gill told North Manchester Coroner's Court.

But when she arrived home later, she had to force open a bedroom door and found her husband had hanged himself inside.

She attempted first-aid techniques and he was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital, but was later pronounced dead.

Recalling their life together, Mrs Gill first met Craig at the legendary Hacienda nightclub in Manchester.

Her testimony contained many emotions - crying at her husband's death but briefly smiling over happy memories.

She said: "We met in 1990 and had been together since then. At first, I didn't know Craig was a musician. But he had been a musician since he was 14. We got married and had children."

Salford-born Craig had suffered from the hearing problem tinnitus for years. It became more severe as he grew older and especially before his death.

He often suffered sleep loss and sometimes had medication for insomnia and anxiety, but there were no indications that he had ever considered taking his own life.

Recalling the day of his death on November 20, Mrs Gill said the whole family arrived early at Media City to queue for tickets for a children's TV Christmas show.

She recalled a light-hearted start to the day: "We wanted a coffee but the Costa was closed because it was early. I thought this is a bad idea," she said with a smile.

"I could see Craig wanted to see the Blue Peter Garden. He then asked if I'd mind if he went home? So I said he should go home and I'd do some Christmas shopping.

"I felt it wasn't the right environment for him. He often worked late at night and had been up very early that morning. But he had come along with us."

After the show, Mrs Gill and the children travelled home to Greenfield by train. She sent texts to Craig, asking if he would meet them at the station.

However on arrival he was not there so they walked home. Once home, Mrs Gill discovered her husband hanged in a bedroom.

She said: "That's what is so shocking about this. I don't know where this has come from."

Det Insp Ian Harratt of Greater Manchester Police's Oldham division said the death appeared 'out of the blue'. There was no evidence of alcohol or drugs, or a suicide note.

Coroner Joanne Kearskey stated the cause of death was hanging but she recorded an open verdict. This was because there was no actual evidence that Craig Gill had intended to take his life.

She said: "I have to be sure beyond reasonable doubt that he carried out the action himself and he intended to die. I must have evidence that he intended to die.

"However I cannot explain why he tied that ligature. So I think an open conclusion is correct."