Jordan Ryan Sheils · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 7/4/17 I opened an inquest into the death of Jordan Ryan Sheils who, at the date of his death was aged 19 years old. The inquest was resumed and concluded on 15/10/18
I found that the cause of death to be: -
1a. Multiple injuries

I concluded with a narrative conclusion of Suicide

On the evening of 3/4/17 Jordan went missing from his father’s home address. Thereafter mother, father and girlfriend received several worrying text messages from him between 10.35pm and 11.02pm, prompting his sister to report him missing to the police at 11.13pm and urgent attempts to locate him were made. Subsequently the next day of 4/4/17 at approximately 3.23pm, Jordan’s body was found by a passing witness immediately beneath the North Bridge. Upon the arrival of the police he was recovered face down in the water and was found to have passed away. The pathologist found that he had sustained multiple injuries internal injuries consistent with a fall from a great height. It was inferred that he had jumped from the bridge with the intention of taking his own life and that third party involvement can be excluded.

During the inquest I heard very helpful evidence from ████████, Highway Asset Manager, who told me that the council are currently in the process of considering of obtaining planning permission for anti-climbing mesh at the location, although it is not thought it will be implemented until early next year.

• To review the existing measures for deterring such tragedies with a view to expediting their introduction particularly with regard to prominently displayed CCTV cameras overlooking the bridge.