The 29-year-old’s body was discovered in his room
Huggard centre in Cardiff(Image: Richard Swingler)
An inquest into the sudden death of a 29-year-old man has failed to establish a cause. Jack Caulfield was found dead last year at the Huggard homeless hostel in Butetown, Cardiff.
A Pontypridd coroners’ court inquest heard Mr Caulfield had been living at the emergency housing centre in Hansen Street. Senior coroner Graeme Hughes said: “He suffered from fluctuating mental ill health and had developed an alcohol dependence.”
On March 9 last year he was found dead in his room by hostel staff. Mr Hughes said: “A post-mortem examination and toxicological testing were not able to yield the likely cause of his death.
“There was, however, no evidence of any third-party involvement, nor suspicious circumstances.”
The coroner recorded an open conclusion. The medical cause of death was given as unascertained.
The inquest heard Mr Caulfield was born in Cardiff and at the time of his death he did not have an occupation.
Why we cover inquests – and why it’s so important that we do
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.
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.
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.
Should journalists shy away from attending inquests then an entire arm of the judicial system 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 powerful media campaigns, 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 and lives will be lost.
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