A police sergeant who unlawfully killed his young son and then took his own life had struggled with his mental health and was depressed after shielding for three months during the first Covid-19 lockdown, an inquest has heard. The bodies of David Louden, 39, and three-year-old Harrison were found at their home in Kidderminster on August 13 last year, Worcestershire Coroner’s Court was told.
The county’s senior coroner, David Reid, heard on Thursday that Sgt Louden had been prescribed anti-depressants but had decided not to take them. The inquest was told there was no evidence of third party involvement in the tragedy, which was discovered after Mr Louden’s wife Samantha, who was away from their home on a family holiday, alerted a friend that he was not answering her messages.
Mr Reid also heard evidence that Harrison was believed to have autistic spectrum disorder, with his parents engaging with the health authorities to seek help for him. In a statement made in recent weeks, which was read to the inquest, Sgt Louden’s widow, who is also a police officer, described him as a “kind and loving” husband and father who always supported others.
