An inquest heard how his father ‘told him how Hitler would have dealt with gay people’
Oliver Vergnault and Olivia Bridge Reporter in Live News Network
08:15, 25 May 2026
The man was sadly found in a cove in Cornwall(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A man described as “loving” and “kind” tragically died after falling from a cliff in Cornwall after his family refused to accept he had a male partner, an inquest has heard.
Fabio Pedranzini was reported missing to Devon and Cornwall Police after vanishing from the holiday caravan he was sharing with his partner Mark Riley, at Upton Towans near Gwithian, Hayle, last year.
He was sadly found dead at the bottom of a cove in Cornwall, below where his phone and other belongings were found two days after he went missing on March 21. 2025.
Fabio’s partner Mark Riley told the hearing held on May 12 how the pair had been together for 18 months after first meeting online. As friendship turned into a romantic relationship the two made plans to move in together.
Mr Riley also said Fabio had a strained relationship with his immediate family after he came out as gay about eight years prior to his death and after being married to a woman for 30 years.
Fabio, who had a senior position with Fujitsu and was in charge of 300 people, was recovered in the cove after being spotted by a police drone on the second day of a multi-agency search on March 23 last year near where his Apple Watch had last pinged with his location, reports Cornwall Live. An inquest into his death in Truro found the 55-year-old Italian national sadly took his own life.
In his statement to the court Mr Riley said: “Fabio was a lovely person. He was so kind and saw the best in everyone.
“He was so proud of his family and of the hard work his dad did all his life. He loved his parents very much.”
He said Fabio’s family would not accept his sexuality and he encouraged him to open up to them and speak to his dad. He told the inquest that Fabio’s family did not seem pleased for him that the pair would be moving together.
“His sexuality was an embarrassment to his family,” Mr Riley said. “They told him he would be disowned. They didn’t want him to bring me with him to Italy. Fabio’s dad had been his rock in his life and that was hard for Fabio.”
A senior figure at Fujitsu, Fabio was a well-regarded member of staff overseeing 300 people across multiple teams.
The inquest heard how the strained relationship with his family became very difficult for Fabio and as the months passed he became delusional and increasingly paranoid.
Mr Riley added: “Fabio went to Italy to mend things with his family. He spoke to his dad about everything but his dad encouraged him to have a relationship with another woman. He told him how Hitler would have dealt with gay people.
“His mum was ashamed to be seen walking around with him. By the time we went on holiday in Cornwall Fabio looked wrecked. He was in turmoil about everything going on with his family. He needed to rest.”
He told the inquest that when the pair arrived at the caravan park Fabio had a paranoid episode and even disappeared for three hours only to come back cold and soaking wet.
He said after being informed that Fabio’s body had been recovered from the bottom of a cliff he had to return home to Surrey and found notes left by Fabio saying he was sorry to everyone for everything and that he “wanted to get out of the dark place he was in”.
In a statement read out at the inquest on behalf of Fabio’s family, his sister Cristiana and his ex wife Antonella said Fabio was the “most generous and thoughtful person who cared about the well being of people around him”.
They said Fabio had a strong work ethic and took pride in his career and in his work.
“His ability to deliver complex projects and his commitment to getting the job well done was endless,” they told the hearing.
Cristiana added: “Outside work Fabio loved food and cooking, wine and design. He loved his garden at home. He created calm and beauty all around him. Fabio found joy in the little things. He was trusting and caring and generous. His family meant a great deal to him.”
Fabio’s Italian relatives told the inquest how in the months before his death they found him withdrawn and he lost weight. They said they thought it was his relationship with Mark which led to a change in his behaviour.
They told the hearing: “It was evident that Fabio was under considerable emotional strain during that period. He gave up many aspects of his life, like his hobbies, interests and friends. He was fading away.”
Fabio’s family said they could see how lonely he was feeling and told the hearing that the 55-year-old had wanted to contact people in his past to make amend.
“Fabio was a strong, intelligent and sensitive man who was adverse to conflict,” they added. “He became isolated. His death followed a period of degradation in his emotional wellbeing.”
The inquest also heard how Fabio had been working at Fujitsu at the time of the Post Office scandal which may have put additional pressure on his life.
A post-mortem report found that Fabio died from multiple injuries consistent with a fall from great height and his death would have been instantaneous.
A police report found no suspicious circumstances or third party involvement in Fabio’s death. A CID investigation found that Fabio’s mental health had been suffering and he had paranoid thoughts that may have contributed to his decision to end his life.
Andrew Cox, the senior coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said Fabio had been experiencing a lot of stress for a number of reasons. He said the last phone call Fabio made to Mr RIley had been minutes before his death and the phone and other items were discovered above where his body was later located.
Mr Cox said: “It is shortly after ending that call that it is more likely than not that Fabio took his own life and intended to do so.”
The coroner recorded a conclusion of suicide.
Where to get help and support
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Signposting
- 24/7 NHS Mental health response line: For support and advice. Call free any time, day or night if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health. The team behind the 24/7 open access telephone response line will listen to you and determine how best to help. t: 111
- Samaritans: When life is difficult, Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. No judgement, no pressure. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org