Inspiral Carpets drummer Craig Gill killed himself after 20 year battle with ‘unbearable’ tinnitus which got worse in weeks before his death
His widow Rose Marie Gill discovered him hanging at their home in Greenfield, Greater Manchester, after returning with their children from a day out
INSPIRAL Carpets drummer Craig Gill killed himself after suffering from "unbearable" tinnitus for two decades which got worse in the weeks before he died, an inquest heard.
His widow Rose Marie Gill told how she discovered her 44-year-old husband hanging at their home in Greenfield, Greater Manchester, when she returned with their children from a day out.
She she her husband's death had baffled everyone who knew him as he did not appear to have any concerns and had no history of depression or suicidal thoughts.
Mrs Gill told coroner Joanne Kearsley: "That's what's shocking about it. I have no idea where this has come from."
She said his only trouble was his severe tinnitus - ringing in the ears - which had afflicted him for more than 20 years as result of working in the music business.
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In a statement issued after the hearing, Mrs Gill said her husband's tinnitus became "so unbearable he felt there was no cure" and urged more awareness of the problem and men's mental health.
She said: "Instead of reaching out, on that day in November, Craig made the saddest and most tragic of decisions."
Watched by other members of the Inspiral Carpets, Mrs Gill told the inquest how the whole family had travelled to Media City in Salford to watch the recording of a children's TV Christmas special.
After they arrived at the studios, Mr Gill said it was not something he really wanted to do and they decided he would go home.
She said she thought this was perfectly normal behaviour as most men would not want to spend a day watching a children's show in Christmas jumpers.
Mrs Gill said she spoke to her husband on the phone during the day but he was not at the station to meet them.
She and the children walked the short distance home, where she made the terrible discovery last November 18.
Detective Inspector Ian Harratt said there was no sign of any disturbance at the house and no suicide note.
The officer told the hearing: "There was nothing in the information we have received that this was premedidated or pre-planned.
"It appears to me that this is something that was completely out of the blue.
"It was something that took everybody who knew Mr Gill completely by surprise."
The coroner said it was clear Craig was responsible for his own death but she could not be sure he intended to kill himself.
Recording an open verdict, Miss Kearsley said the drummer was a "funny, loyal and caring" family man who was "thought of so highly by everybody".
She added: "Craig was perhaps one of the most influential and inspirational musicians of his generation."
He was a founding member of the Inspiral Carpets and played with the band throughout their heyday in the 1990s.
He returned when the band reformed 20 years later to tour and record their self-titled album in 2014.
Craig was also a music historian and ran Manchester Music Tours, taking people on bus and walking trips around Manchester's famous music locations.
Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher was among the hundreds of mourners at his funeral.
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