Proud dad and police officer took own life

A new father and police officer took his own life just weeks after becoming a father, an inquest heard.

- by Harriet Sutton

PC Charlie Mitchell, 26, was found dead at St Aidan's Nature Reserve in Leeds on June 22 this year, the day after he was reported missing.

An inquest at Wakefield Coroner's Court heard the Halifax-based patrol officer, who had joined West Yorkshire Police in 2022, had never previously self-harmed or been the subject of mental health concerns.

But in the weeks prior to his death, he was struggling with the responsibilities of fatherhood and a demanding job.