A cause of death has been confirmed after popular English musician James Morrison’s wife was found dead at their home on January 5.
Gill Catchpole, 45, was found deceased at the Whitminster, Gloucestershire house where she lived with Morrison and their two children.
During an inquest opening on Tuesday, it was confirmed Catchpole had taken her own life, as reported by The Evening Standard.
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Police had been called to the home over concerns for Catchpole’s welfare, later declaring the death as not suspicious.
The 39-year-old musician’s wife ran a cafe called The Cotswold Sandwich Box, a business she launched after undergoing a kidney transplant in 2022.
“What a difference a year makes,” she wrote after opening the cafe in October 2023.
“This time last year I was having my kidney transplant and a year on after many ups downs and heartache I am here owning my own business.
“At the start of this year, I myself never saw this coming.”
The couple met when Morrison was 17 when Catchpole moved into his mother’s home with her then-boyfriend.
She eventually split from her partner and starting dating Morrison, whom she wed in 2006.
The couple went on to have two children, daughters Elsie, 15, and Ada, 5.
Reports have emerged that Catchpole was spotted without her wedding ring in the days leading up to her death and was looking for a new place to live.
A tragic history
It’s the fourth family tragedy for Morrison, who has already lost his father, brother and nephew.
His father, an alcoholic, died in 2010 after literally drinking himself to death, an inquest found.
Paul Morrison was found dead in his council flat, with paramedics reporting the property was littered with “hundreds of empty beer cans”.
His older brother Alexis, 43, and nephew Callum, 21, died the following year.
“After my dad died, it was heartbreaking to start losing the next generations,” he told The Daily Mail in 2015.
A family friend who spoke to The Sun said Morrison was “devastated” by his most recent loss.
“James is devastated and is being supported by his family,” the family friend said.
“He is holding it together for their girls but has asked for the family to be left alone to grieve in private.”
The latest tragedy has prompted an outpouring of love and condolences from his fans.
Just days before his wife’s death, Morrison posted a picture of himself playing guitar with the caption: “New year, new adventure.”
Many fans posted messages in the comments section after learning of Catchpole’s death.
“Sorry for your loss. Your music helped through dark times, especially I Won’t Let You Go,” one fan wrote.
“We will not let you go. We love you so much.”
“Just saw the news. Sorry to hear ❤️,” another said.
Another person wrote: “Love and thoughts are with you at this sad time 🙏.”
Morrison is best known for his 2006 debut single You Give Me Something which became a worldwide hit.
It reached No.2 in the Netherlands and No.5 in the UK.
The following year he was nominated for several Brit Awards, taking home Best British Male.
Morrison has released five studio albums. His most recent was titled You’re Stronger Than You Know and was released in 2019.
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