The founder of the Pride of Britain Awards leapt to his death while severely depressed, just as he was due to check in to a mental health hospital, an inquest has heard.
Adrian Willis, better known by his middle name Peter during his time as a Fleet Street newspaper editor, was waiting outside his home in north London for a taxi to take him to hospital on June 25 2021 when he bolted back inside and threw himself from an upstairs window.
Nicky Dawson, Mr Willis’s wife, managed to catch up with her husband and grabbed onto him briefly in an attempt to stop him, but the father-of-two fell to his death.
Assistant coroner Jonathan Stevens, who described 54-year-old Mr Willis as a “successful and highly regarded journalist”, recorded a conclusion of suicide.
The cause of death was given as multiple traumatic injuries.
Mr Willis was described by colleagues following his death as “the Heart of the Daily Mirror”, who created the newspaper’s long-running awards recognising the achievements of members of the public.
St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard Mr Willis had a history of depression dating back to the death of his father five years earlier.
He had previously been admitted to hospital in 2018 when it was noted he had suicidal thoughts and had in fact gone missing for five days shortly before he died, but returned because he felt comforted by the love of his family.
The inquest heard Mr Willis had told clinicians his depression was “exacerbated by the prospect of redundancy” at his work and was concerned about not being able to provide for his family.
He was initially reluctant to be admitted to hospital again but came around to the idea and had planned to go on holiday later in the year.
But on the day he was due to check in, Mr Willis took his own life.
In a witness statement, Ms Dawson said: “As we were about to leave, he said he wanted to go upstairs to his room.
“I tried to stop him from going upstairs but he insisted he wanted to get a book.
“I followed him upstairs but he went out of the window.
“I grabbed hold of his feet but he fell from my grip.”
Assistant coroner Mr Stevens said: “I conclude that the death was a result of suicide.”
He added: “It’s just such a shame he didn’t realise how much he was loved and respected in his profession.”
Broadcaster Piers Morgan was among those who paid tribute to Mr Willis following his death, describing him as “a brilliant journalist, a loving husband & father, and a loyal, decent, kind and caring friend”.
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