The death of Angad Paul – son of prominent industrialist Swraj Paul – on November 8 last year was caused by the collapse of the Caparo group, for which he blamed himself, the coroner’s court was told here this week.
Paul, 45, died from major injuries caused by a fall from his eighth-floor flat in central London. The company, which was founded by his father in the late 1960s, went into administration in late 2015. Paul was the CEO of the company.
His wife Michelle told the Westminster Coroners’ Court: “He had been the most balanced, calm, clever person. But everything became catastrophic. He was paranoid. He closed the blinds and turned off his phone.”
She said Paul felt responsible for the collapse and the loss of jobs for his employees, and believed he could not provide for his family. He had sold his four sports cars and told his wife when she wanted to buy a pizza: “I cannot afford it.”
The court was told he had not left a suicide note and the police found that his death was “non-suspicious”. There was no alcohol in his blood and no other drugs. The cause of death was severe head injuries.
{{/usCountry}}The court was told he had not left a suicide note and the police found that his death was “non-suspicious”. There was no alcohol in his blood and no other drugs. The cause of death was severe head injuries.
{{/usCountry}}Coroner Shirley Radcliffe said the evidence suggested the collapse of his business had sent him into a downward spiral: “He was a very bright dynamic man, happily married with two children and a comfortable existence, he took his work responsibilities very seriously.”
“He was clearly worried about the business. He had felt that it was his fault,” she said and concluded he had committed suicide.