'Distraught' father, 24, took his own life after being left so heartbroken by the sudden death of his 13-day-old son who died in his sleep, inquest hears

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A 'distraught' father took his own life three months after his 13-day-old infant son suddenly passed away in his sleep, an inquest heard today.

Stuart Nineham, 24, was found dead in Southampton, Hampshire, in April 2024, after the death of his 'beautiful' newborn Roman on January 6.

The child was born prematurely on December 24, 2023, but was released from hospital on New Years Eve, Portsmouth Coroners was told.

Coroner Christopher Wilkinson told the hearing that following the baby's death, police arrested Mr Nineham and the child's mother, Jodie Chainey.

However, a police investigation later showed no evidence of neglect and no further action was taken against them.

Mr Nineham had been unaware that his name would be cleared at the time of his own death, the coroner added.

It was also heard that Roman was being looked after by Mr Nineham on the night that the baby died.

'It would seem more likely than not, Stuart Nineham had fallen asleep while Roman had slept and Roman's death occurred while both were asleep in the early hours of the morning,' Mr Wilkinson told the inquest.

Stuart Nineham, 24, (pictured) was found dead in Southampton, Hampshire, in April 2024, after the death of his 'beautiful' newborn Roman on January 6

Mr Nineham and the mother of his child Jodie Chainey (pictured) were arrested after the death of their son. However a police investigation showed no evidence of neglect and no further action was taken against them

Home Office pathologist Dr Russell Delaney said that Roman had not suffered any injuries and there was no medical evidence to establish a cause of death.

Both the police and medical investigations had been unable to explain how Roman had died and recorded a conclusion of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), the inquest heard.

A separate hearing held for Mr Nineham was told that the 24-year-old was found to have taken his own life by Ms Chainey in a local park.

In a statement, Ms Chainey said that they had been arguing and they were both 'struggling' following the sudden death of their son.

Following Roman's death, Mr Nineham had been experiencing suicidal thoughts and had sought help from his GP.

He had also attempted to take his own life two weeks previously, the inquest heard.

The 24-year-old had also turned to 'self-medicating' with alcohol and drugs and owed money to his dealer, the coroner said.

Detective Sergeant Lisa Robins, of Hampshire Constabulary, said there were no suspicious circumstances in relation to his death.

'His mother told police that he had been struggling since the death of Roman,' she said.

'I came to conclude that it had all become too much for him and he had taken his own life.'

Recording a conclusion of suicide for Mr Nineham, Mr Wilkinson said: 'Tragically, Stuart, along with his partner and the wider family were distraught by the death of his son Roman.

Mr Nineham did not know his name had been cleared at the time of his death (Pictured: Portsmouth Coroners Office)

'We know he was struggling with that loss profoundly and the significant impact that had on Stuart.'

Mr Wilkinson said that the police investigation had been 'bearing down' on Mr Nineham and his family.

He added: 'Stuart didn't know the answer from police that they decided to take no further action.'

He said the pressures of the police investigation and the 'public perception' of Roman's death had caused 'division' and arguments between Mr Nineham and Ms Chainey, who at about the same time found out that she was pregnant.

Mr Wilkinson added: 'All of this came as a perfect storm and all it needed was one further argument and even possibly the news that his partner is again pregnant.'

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