A 22-year-old man from North Wales who “brought sunshine into everybody’s life” tragically took his own, an inquest heard. Levi Haul Jones’ mum said he “always put a smile on everyone’s face” and nobody would ever have suspected her son was struggling with his mental health.
Levi, a hospitality worker, was discovered dead at his Wallasey home on February 6 this year. At a Liverpool inquest held yesterday, April 27, it emerged the 22-year-old was last seen by friends on February 2, when he “appeared upset” and “didn’t seem his usual self”.
On February 6 at 8.50pm, a friend grew worried having not heard from Levi for several days and made his way to his home on Trafalgar Road. Gaining entry via a spare key, he discovered Levi dead in his bedroom. Emergency services were immediately contacted and Levi was pronounced dead at the scene at 8.57pm.
A post-mortem examination and toxicology tests revealed the 22 year old had consumed cannabis prior to his death. His cause of death was recorded as hanging, reports the Liverpool Echo.
His mum Suzie told the inquest: “He was just everything. He would put a smile on everybody’s face. You would never have thought that he had mental health problems because he never showed anything.
“He was always on the go. He was fun loving. He would walk in a room and just light it up.
“He brought sunshine into everybody’s life. He lived up to his name, because Haul is Welsh for Sun. He’s just missed so much.”
Recording a conclusion of suicide, Coroner Helen Rimmer said: “Bearing in mind the fact that the toxicology report didn’t raise any issues in terms of the levels of cannabis, and we do know that Levi did use it recreationally, on that basis and given the nature of the act I think he had (made up his mind).”
Levi was raised in Colwyn Bay, attending Ysgol Pen Y Bryn in Colwyn Heights, followed by Ysgol Bryn Elian in Old Colwyn.
Levi Haul Jones died on February 6 this year(Image: submitted)
He moved to the Wirral with his family around eight years ago, but maintained a wide circle of friends in both areas.
He attracted people from all walks of life with his interests in fitness, music and dancing, as well as his knack for cooking. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Suzie said: “I just want people to reach out especially young men. I wouldn’t want anybody else to be in this situation as a parent. It’s just important and I just want everybody to know there are places you can go and just reach out, and I just hope it never happens to anyone else.
“I just hope, especially for young people, there’s more outreach for them, because I don’t feel there is enough.
Why journalists cover inquests and why it’s crucial that we do
Reporting on an inquest can be one of the hardest types of stories a journalist can write.
More often than not, they are emotionally charged proceedings attended by grief-stricken people who are desperate for answers.
Sometimes, inquests can seem quite clinical due to a coroner’s need to remain impartial and level-headed so that they can draw a conclusion from desperately sad events.
As painful as these proceedings are for those who have lost a loved one, the lessons that can be learned from inquests can go a long way to saving others’ lives.
Families are often surprised – and sometimes angry – when they see a reporter in attendance.
Understandably they worry the nature of their loved one’s death will be sensationalised and that a news story will forever tarnish their memory.
Responsible and ethically minded journalists will do what they can to report inquests sensitively, while not shying away from the often upsetting facts.
It is vital that the public don’t forget that inquests are a type of judicial inquiry; they are after all held in a coroner’s court.
The press has a legal right to attend inquests and has a responsibility to report on them as part of their duty to uphold the principle of ‘open justice’.
A coroner’s court is a court of law(Image: MEN)
But in doing so journalists must follow the guidance provided by the Independent Press Standards Organisation and set out in Editors’ Code of Conduct.
It’s a journalist’s duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret.
An inquest report can also clear up any rumours or suspicion surrounding a person’s death.
But most importantly of all, an inquest report can draw attention to circumstances which may stop further deaths from happening.
Inquests are not criminal courts – there is no prosecution or defence – they are fact-finding tribunals which seek to answer four key questions:
Who is the person who died?Where did they die?When did they die?How did they die?
They do not apportion blame.
Once these questions are answered a coroner will be able to record a conclusion.
The wider lessons that can be learned from an inquest can have far-reaching consequences – but if journalists do not attend them how can the public be made aware?
The harsh reality is they can’t. Coroners often do not publish the results of an inquest.
Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system – and numerous others who need to answer vital questions – is not held to account.
Inquests can often prompt a wider discussion on serious issues, the most recent of these being mental health and suicide.
Editors actively ask and encourage reporters to speak to the family and friends of a person who is the subject of an inquest.
Their contributions help us create a clearer picture of the person who died and also provides the opportunity to pay tribute to their loved one.
Often families do not wish to speak to the press and of course that decision has to be respected.
However, as has been seen by many brilliant campaigns run by newspapers and websites up and down the country, the input of a person’s family and friends can make all the difference in helping to save others.
Without the attendance of the press at inquests questions will remain unanswered, debates unargued and lives lost.
“Levi was fun loving, he was beautiful, his soul was genuine, and he was just a ray of sunshine. He truly lived up to his name – he was a ray of sunshine in everybody’s life. He loved two-stepping, dancing with his mates, being with them, that was him.”
A Gofundme set up to collect funds for mental health charities in the aftermath of Levi’s death raised more than £9,000.
In a tribute, his friend Terri Williams said: “Levi was passionate about fitness, boxing, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After school, he went on to college and worked hard in a variety of jobs.
“Levi had an infectious smile and a warm personality that drew people from all walks of life to him. He loved music, festivals, and dancing, and he had a real flair for cooking, always making sure every dish had flavour.
“He was deeply loyal and kind to those closest to him. Levi leaves behind his mother, sister, two younger brothers, and an older brother.
“Those who knew him remember his beautiful soul, big heart, and the joy he brought to their lives. Levi also, like many young men, struggled with speaking openly about his feelings. He often kept his struggles private, which is why it’s so important to raise awareness about mental health and create safe spaces for people, especially men to reach out for help.
“Levi’s struggles with mental health began at a young age and became more challenging during his teenage years due to life events. He attended CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), but in his own mind, he felt he could only truly open up to his mother, and later, his sister.
“The loss of his grandfather had a massive impact on him, and he often didn’t feel able to accept help from strangers or services, keeping much of his pain to himself. Despite this, Levi had an amazing way of always putting a smile on his face, a reminder that a person’s outward appearance can never fully reveal the story inside.” Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
Mental Health Support
Helplines and support groups
The NHS Choices website lists the following helplines and support networks for people to talk to:
Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.Mind Cymru (02920 395 123) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.CALL Mental Health Helpline for Wales (0800 132 737) provides a Wales-wide 24/7 mental health multi-channel contact service. CALL offers emotional support, signposting to agencies relevant to the caller’s needs as well as free literature.