Hoo dad took his own life over money fears after losing Tesco warehouse job
Published: 05:00, 21 January 2023
A "fantastic" young dad with a "beautiful soul" took his own life due to money worries following the loss of his job at Tesco.
Jordon Ovie, from Chorister Cresent in Hoo, fell from a crane on a building site in Gillingham Gate Road, Chatham, in the early hours of Sunday, October 30.
An inquest into the 23-year-old's death was concluded on Thursday.
The coroner, Patricia Harding, confirmed Jordon's death was caused by multiple traumatic injuries.
In a heartbreaking tribute to her son, his mum Andrea Gill said: "His death is completely devastating, we are devastated as a family and for his son.
"Jordon was a lovely person and touched many people's lives.
"We are still trying to make sense of it but we are being there for his son as he had such a strong bond with his daddy.
"Jordon was a fantastic and very polite young man."
A statement read out by the coroner said police were contacted by Jordon's brother after a note was read at the family home.
The letter explained that Jordon was in financial trouble and he felt guilty about letting people down.
Jordon lived with his mum and his younger brother.
He worked at a Tesco warehouse until he was fired on Thursday, October 20.
The coroner said: "His firing was caused after Jordon had asked for a day off.
"His holiday was authorised but at his next shift, he was told that he shouldn't have taken the holiday and was fired.
"It left him feeling stressed and frustrated."
The coroner continued: "After losing his job Jordon borrowed money from friends and family and invested it into a pyramid scheme.
"It was after borrowing this money that Jordon felt that he was in financial difficulty and could not pay people back."
At 11pm on Saturday, October 29, he went to the shops for his mum before returning home and cleaning his room.
The coroner said: "He came downstairs with a bag of rubbish and said to Andrea that his room was hot and he wanted to head out and ride his motorbike.
"It was then during the early hours of Sunday, October 30, that he rang his mum and asked her to go into his rucksack and read the note that was inside.
"Jordon's note explained that he had borrowed money that he couldn't pay back and that he loved his mum."
Andrea and Jordon's younger brother told him to speak to the police but he refused.
The coroner confirmed that Jordon was speaking to his mother and brother on the phone whilst they were asking where he was.
In the end, it was the police who tracked his location via his mobile.
Officers found his motorbike outside the Mast and Rigging pub.
He fell from a nearby crane and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination concluded Jordon had suffered from multiple traumatic injuries caused by the fall.
The toxicology report showed that there was nothing significant in Jordon's blood or urine apart from a small amount of alcohol.
But there was no evidence of recent drinking.
It was also noted that Jordon had no history of depression or mental health concerns.
Tesco declined to comment on the circumstances of his dismissal but a spokesman said its thoughts remained with his family and loved ones.
Andrea, who was at the inquest with Rebecca Tweedie, the mother of his three-year-old son, added: "Jordon is missed, he had a beautiful soul.
"I am at a complete loss, we all are..."
"It is a shame he felt that this was the way forward.
"I wish young people would open up about their problems.
"I am at a complete loss, we all are. His friends say that if it wasn't for Jordon they wouldn't be who they are today.
"Jordon was very well respected and has left a huge hole in our hearts."
Following his death, a GoFundMe page was set up by Jordan's family and friends to help raise money for his funeral.
"He was one of the strongest people we ever knew and impacted so many lives positively..."
Set up by Kayode Dennis on behalf of Andrea it reads: "Jordon was a person of love and light, and his friends and family are pulling together to provide him with a loving send-off and help provide for his three-year-old son.
"For anyone that knew him, he was always smiling, always active and the quickest to the punchline.
"He was one of the strongest people we ever knew and impacted so many lives positively!
"With a love for freerunning and parkour, video games and anime, he was just like the rest of us; always ready to help and it's our chance to help him and his loved ones.
"Silent depression is a terrifying issue and we urge everyone to continue to check on and support the ones that they love."
- For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or click here to visit the website.
- If you want to talk to someone confidentially, click here
Out of the family's £10,000 goal £2,400 has been raised. To donate click here.
The coroner concluded: "It is clear that Jordon is loved by his family very much.
"I am satisfied that his death was caused by multiple traumatic injuries and he died from his own deliberate act.
"Therefore my conclusion of his death is suicide. I am very sorry for your loss."
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Megan Carr