Brother urges missingsibling to come home

MISSING . . . Ciaron Nuttall, last seen in 2011

A BROTHER has urged his missing younger sibling to come home after an inquest into their mother's death.

Tommy Nuttall (27), from Royton, pledged "never to stop looking" for Ciaron Nuttall and to continue his mother's five-year search.

An inquest into Ann-Marie Walls' death has brought "closure" for Tommy who discovered her lying across her bed at their home in Charcon Walk on February 28.

Coroner Lisa Hashmi recorded a conclusion of misadventure at the inquest at Heywood Coroner's Court on Friday.

Contributing factors to Ms Walls' death included the combined use of antidepressant amitriptyline and pain killer oxycodone, a liver condition, the posture she was found in as well as sleeping tablets, the inquest heard.

Tommy, who became a carer for his mum due to her ill health, said: "I was alone when I found her and it was probably the worst day of my life.

"I still cannot believe that she is gone.

"But I am thrilled it was not suicide and feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

"I knew that she wanted to live and find Ciaron so I knew she would not do something like that.

"We are going to be carrying on the search.

"It will never end.

"I will carry on for as long as it takes.

"It is what I want and I know for a fact it is what mum would have wanted."

Ciaron, who is described as white, 5ft 9in with short brown hair, was 18 when he went missing in March 2011 following a short argument with his mother.

Older brother Tommy, who has made numerous appeals, said: "If Ciaron reads this, I would repeat the same thing; please get in touch.

"I just want to know that he is OK."

On top of the long search for his sibling, Tommy has suffered the loss of his nan, the death of his six-month-old sister due to a choking accident and now the death of his mum.

Ms Walls, who trained as an auxiliary nurse, had numerous cysts in her stomach and underneath her arms which made movement painful, Tommy said.

He added: "She would be in pain with her stomach or headache, or tired, and many times I would find her asleep on the couch.

"Every now and then she would get really low and wanted someone with her."

However, the day before her death, Ms Walls was said to be in "good spirits" and "there was nothing out of the ordinary".

Tommy went to wake his mum just before 11am on the Sunday after realising she had not taken her tablets and discovered her lying on her side and cold.

Police treated the incident as a sudden, unexpected death situation, the coroner said.

Ms Walls, who died aged 45, had difficulty sleeping, often waking at 2am, was a heavy smoker, had a liver condition and suffered from chronic health problems. The coroner said in her conclusion: "I'm content to accept that she died of a misadventure.

"I sincerely hope that having reached that conclusion that it draws a line in the sand for you and you can move on with the rest of your life, which I hope will be a very long, happy and fulfilling life.

"I wish you all the very best in your endeavour to find your sibling.

"I can see that you are strong in character, not only in your mum's wish to find her son but also in your voluntary efforts."

Tommy has been given a job at a nearby salon and hopes to secure a place on a hair dressing apprenticeship at Oldham College, following in the footsteps of his mum who started out in the profession.

Support worker and family friend Chris Seal praised Tommy for picking himself up and for winning the Person of the Year Award at Oldham charity Phab where he volunteers.

She said: "I think this has brought closure.

"After this it is time to grieve and find Ciaron."