James Morrison found his wife Gill Catchpole hanged at their home, inquest hears

The singer was said to be devastated after discovering his other half unresponsive at the home that they shared with their two daughters
Tina Campbell9 January 2024
The Weekender

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Singer James Morrison found his wife hanged at their home after a friend contacted him concerned when they had been unable to get hold of her, an inquest has heard.

Gill Catchpole, 45, was discovered unresponsive at the house she shared with the 39-year-old You Give Me Something hit-maker and their two daughters Elsie, 15, and Ada, five, in Whitminster, Gloucestershire on Friday.

During an inquest opening held on Tuesday, it was heard a post mortem gave a provisional cause of death for the mum-of-two as ligature suspension.

Police were satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances, the coroner was told. Ms Catchpole ran a café called the Cotswold Sandwich Box and had previously written about her excitement at starting the business after undergoing a kidney transplant in 2022.

Morrison and Catchpole met when he was 17 after she moved into his mum's home with her then-boyfriend.

He would serenade his future partner by singing songs from Stevie Wonder’s album Key Of Life.

They eventually got together after she split from her boyfriend and they went on to have a family together.

Catchpole, who had been married to Morrison for 17 years since 2006, had been pictured without her wedding ring and was looking for a new home shortly before she died, it has been reported.

This is the fourth tragedy to hit the Brit Award winner, following the deaths of his dad, brother and nephew.

The full inquest in Gloucestershire was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

A source has told The Sun that Morrison will focus on caring for his daughters after cancelling all work commitments.

*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch.

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