The tragic death of a warehouse manager whose car was found crashed into a tree a day after being reported missing to police has been confirmed as a deliberate act. An inquest heard 27-year-old Jack Taggart had recently suffered a series of traumatic and challenging incidents in his life before being found in his vehicle along an isolated section of the A3079 in Halwill, near Beaworthy, by an elderly couple who had parked up to walk their dog.
Jack, who was born in Birmingham, had been reported missing the previous day, January 3, 2023, by his fiancee after he failed to return back from work to the home they shared together in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. His car was then found the following morning in Devon at 8.50am.
The cause of his death was multiple injuries and no alcohol or drugs were detected. A police investigation confirmed it had been a deliberate act at high speed from evidence at the scene and inside the car.
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It is believed he may have been travelling to Bude where some of his dad's ashes had been scattered. It was also a destination where they had enjoyed many family holidays. The inquest held at Exeter Coroners Court today, November 27, heard, his dad had suddenly passed away in October 2021 following an industrial accident at work.
In a statement, his fiancee Shannon Madden told how they had been together for seven years and lived with Jack's son from a previous relationship. He had been with them full-time since his mum moved to Ireland and Jack had fought to keep custody of him.
However, the arrangement suddenly changed when Jack was arrested in October 2022. It resulted in social services becoming involved and his son was put into the care of his paternal grandmother and he was granted supervised visits while a police investigation was carried out.
Jack maintained his innocence and Shannon said it had been a stressful time that he had 'not handled well'. Further distress was caused when his son went to Ireland for half-term to stay with his mum but never returned home.
She admitted the 'significant' events he recently had going on in his life gave her cause for concern about his mental health.
She said: "When I raised concerns he always said he was fine. He was a kind person who did not like to worry others."
She recalled the last time she had seen Jack was on the morning of January 3, when he left home for work as usual and said there had been nothing usual about his behaviour.
Shatter the Silence
The DevonLive Shatter the Silence campaign aims to encourage anyone struggling to reach out and talk - to either a friend, relative, charity or a professional. Our campaign content will highlight just how important talking is and the difference it can make.
Ultimately, we want to reduce the number of people who die by suicide in Devon. We will highlight where to get help and show how talking has helped people come through difficult times in their lives. We will speak to families who have lost loved ones to look at the lasting impact of suicide and attempt to dismiss the inaccurate belief many people who are struggling manifest that they are a burden on the ones they love. We will look at the devastation caused to those left behind in the hope that even one reader might change their mind if they have considered taking their own life.
We will speak to people who have survived a suicide attempt and have accessed counselling or other mental health services to show that things can get better. We will speak to Samaritans volunteers about their vital work in Devon and how they are on hand 24-7 to listen. And we will offer guidance on what to say to someone who is struggling so people feel more confident to have that conversation.
Do you have a relevant story to share? Email emma.slee@reachplc.com.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
SAMARITANS offers support in a range of ways, including a self-help app, email support or by calling 116 123 for free 24 hours a day
NHS Offers advice on how to access mental health support
TALKWORKS is a free-to-access NHS service offering a variety of treatment and support for adults (aged 18+) living in Devon (excluding Plymouth)
CALM offer a free, confidential helpline 0800 58 58 58 and webchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life's problems
HUB OF HOPE is a mental health support database that can signpost you to local support services
ANDY'S MAN CLUB offers men a chance to talk with like-minded people. They have clubs in Devon as well as nationally
KOOTH & QWELL provides free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing support, including moderated peer support forums and text-based counselling, to all residents living in Devon (aged 11+)
PETE'S DRAGONS provide free-to-access support to all residents living in Devon who may have been bereaved by suicide at any point in their lives
THE MOORINGS is an emotional support service that provides telephone and face-to-face support via a drop-in service at its bases in Exeter, Barnstaple and Torquay. It is a non-clinical service but provides emotional support, signposting to other services and other general support that is tailored to the people who access it.
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Paying tribute to him in her statement, she said: "Jack was a wonderful man who was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was always smiling, laughing and joking and a joy to be around
"He was loved by family members and friends; we are all absolutely heartbroken. The loss of Jack has left a hole in our lives that can never be filled."
She added: "I hope he has found peace. He was the brightest of lights and that light will never go out."
In an additional statement, she told how she believed Jack was let down by social services and that he had no input in the decision for his son to remain in Ireland while the police investigation continued.
She said: "Social services are the reason Jack could not carry on. I will always hold them personally responsible for taking Jack away and ruining our lives."
A statement from Claire Reynolds, a social worker with Warwickshire County Council, told that the mum of Jack's son had exercised her rights to offer 'long-term stability' due to a long police investigation ahead and that it has resulted in the matter being closed by the council on November 25.
She added a formal complaint from Shannon had been received in April stating its social care intervention and decision-making had contributed to Jack's death. She confirmed the complaint was being investigated.
Det Sgt Gavin Wallwork told the inquest the police investigation was still ongoing into the offence Jack had been arrested for. His family criticised how long it was taking stating it had not enabled them to 'get closure' and said they remain confident of his alleged innocence.
They said: "We are all convinced 100 per cent he is not guilty."
Recording a conclusion of suicide, Alison Longhorn, area coroner for Exeter and greater Devon, said: "He was clearly in good physical health and historically had not struggled with his mental health. In October 2021, his father died in traumatic circumstances and clearly, it had a profound effect on him.
"In October 2022 he was arrested and was being investigated for a serious criminal offence and social services became involved and contact with his son was restricted. A couple weeks later [his son] moved to Ireland causing him great upset."
She added: "I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities Jack had taken own life that day and sadly intended to do so based on the manner he died and the background circumstances he had in previous 12 to 18 months which were clearly very challenging for him."
Referring to the family's concerns about the involvement Jack had with social services, Mrs Longhorn said: "As we heard from the officer today, it is very difficult as social services have a very different role from police and that will always be ensuring the safety of a child, but they should be able to do so with clear and open communication with families they work with.
"If it did not happen in this case, it clearly made Jack's life more difficult than it needed to be."
