Paul Cuniff committed suicide while believing he had prostate cancer after he saw traces of blood in his urine
The family of a father-of-three killed himself because he wrongly believed he had prostate cancer have spoken of their heartbreak.
Paul Cuniff, 43, had a history of depression and went missing from his home on June 26 after texting and calling his family.
After finding traces of blood in his urine, the former care worker visited a doctor and told his mother he thought had prostate cancer, an inquest was told.
His body was found in County Durham woodland by his 24-year-old son Liam Cuniff the day after he went missing from his home in Hartlepool.
A post-mortem examination tragically revealed no trace of prostate cancer.
At inquest into his death at Middlesbrough Town Hall, Teesside, Senior Coroner for Teesside Clare Bailey recorded a conclusion of suicide.
After the inquest Mr Cuniff’s brother Mark, 34, and his partner Nicola, 31, spoke of the events leading up to the discovery of his body in Crimdon and their grief at his loss.
Nicola told how Liam had gone to search the woods again the next morning without waiting for his uncle and found his father’s body.
‘He is missed by everyone and especially by his family,’ she said.
‘People thought a lot of him. He was always kind and he always tried to help people.
‘No matter what the circumstances, he always thought he could help.’
As well as 24-year-old Liam, Mr Cuniff is survived by daughter Savannah, 21, Jake, 18, and Savannah’s son Lincoln.
The 43-year-old’s family have spoken of their heartbreak, describing Mr Cuniff as a kind man who always tried to help people
The family has had an apology from the North East Ambulance Service after Mark was left with his brother’s body because a paramedic refused to put the body in her ambulance until she had received permission from management.
A spokesman for North East Ambulance Service said: ‘Following a complaint about this case we acknowledge that there was some confusion around procedures when dealing with such an incident.
‘As a result we have provided feedback and training for the member of staff involved and apologise unreservedly for the distress this caused to all involved.’
Paying tribute to Mr Cuniff, Nicola said: ‘No matter what the circumstances, he always thought he could help.
‘He did not like to see people being bullied or ripped off or anything like that.
‘He is a big miss – he was always called Mark “Our Kid” and he always stood up for the family.
‘He was always there for his kids – that’s why it was so hard that Liam is the one who found him. He loved his grandson to bits.
‘They were always going on adventures together and making cakes.’
- For confidential support call Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, or see samaritans.org for details