Parmo King Mike Featherstone took his own life, inquest is told

Parmo King Mike Featherstone died from shotgun wounds, inquest is told

The owner of a well-known Middlesbrough takeaway took his own life with a shotgun, an inquest heard.

Dad-of-three Mike Featherstone, known as the “Parmo King”, died in his flat above Mike’s Return takeaway on Victoria Road in Middlesbrough, on Saturday May 26, 2012.

An inquest held on Monday at Teesside Coroner’s Court heard Mr Featherstone, who was 49 when he died, had tried to take his own life just days earlier.

His brother Ronald told the hearing Mr Featherstone had seemed “normal and happy” when he last spoke to him about a month before his death and said the news “came as a horrible shock”.

He confirmed he had seen a suicide note from his brother’s computer, and when asked by Acting Coroner Clare Bailey if he believed that Mr Featherstone had taken his own life he said: “It appears so, yes.”

The inquest was read evidence from Mr Featherstone’s former partner Debra, which said he had been keen to resume the relationship.

Her statement said Mr Featherstone had been found in his car in a garage, with the engine running, two days before he died.

It read: “He slept on my sofa that night. He seemed ok, and went to Redcar the next day for a run out. I texted him and asked how he was and he said “fine, why?”.”

The inquest heard evidence from Debra and others who worked at Mike’s Return that she had came to the shop just after 3pm, and went upstairs to the flat after saying hello.

She found Mr Featherstone laid on his bed, and raised the alarm.

Imrad Azad Salih, who had known Mr Featherstone and worked in the takeaway for nine years, and new staff member Adrian Hall, rushed upstairs and called an ambulance, desperately trying to resuscitate him.

Mr Salih said in a statement: “Debbie had been in touch and told me that Mike had tried to kill himself. I had gone to see him. He said he wanted her back.

“But when I spoke to him he said he had lots to live for. He was drinking alcohol too much and worrying about Debbie.”

Cleveland Police have confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, as Mr Featherstone went clay pigeon shooting and had a gun licence and kept a shotgun and imitation handgun.

An autopsy carried out at James Cook University Hospital on May 29 confirmed the cause of death was a shotgun wound to the chest. A toxicology report had found only trace amounts of alcohol in his blood.

Acting Coroner Clare Bailey said: “In considering the evidence, I remind myself that the flat was secure, the police are satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances. He had his own gun and was able to use a gun. He seemed to leave a note, and the contents of that note made it clear he intended to take his own life.

“He was not under the influence of drink and drugs. His brother has told us that he thought he intended to take his life.”

Ms Bailey recorded a verdict that Mr Featherstone killed himself.