A man with four children, who passed away following a house explosion, had left a message for his niece, an inquiry revealed. Stuart Cooper, aged 49, sustained severe injuries in an explosion that occurred on April 23, 2025, at Pendennis Road in Penzance. The inquest held in Truro disclosed that Mr. Cooper had been grappling with mental health issues for several years, having previously expressed suicidal thoughts.
Before his demise, Mr. Cooper had endured a similar explosion at his residence in 2019, resulting in over 60% burns that necessitated extensive medical procedures and caused him significant pain. His niece, Emily Cooper, mentioned in a statement presented during the hearing, shared her realization that the 2019 incident might have been a suicide effort.
She fondly described her uncle, whom she affectionately called dad, as a devoted Tottenham Hotspur supporter who possessed a humorous and outgoing personality. Emily Cooper recounted his mental health struggles, mentioning fluctuations between periods of deep lows and hopeful phases. She emphasized that despite having numerous friends, his mental well-being deteriorated in the weeks leading up to his death.
Following Mr. Cooper’s passing, his niece received a package from a neighbor containing a final note and documents as per his instructions. She praised her uncle’s actions, highlighting his strength even during challenging times. During the inquiry, an officer who responded to the incident conveyed the collaborative response involving multiple agencies, with Mr. Cooper being airlifted to Derriford Hospital after sustaining 92% burns across his body.
Medical professionals at Derriford Hospital assessed his condition as critical, leading to the decision to withdraw life support, resulting in his passing later that day. Subsequent investigations by Cornwall Fire Service and gas engineers confirmed no internal leaks or safety issues within Mr. Cooper’s property at the time of the explosion.
The detective constable overseeing the case stated that after a thorough review, no external involvement or suspicious circumstances were uncovered. Based on the collected evidence, including a note to Emily Cooper and a Facebook video posted before his demise, it was concluded that Mr. Cooper had intended to end his own life.
The Assistant Coroner for Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly, Emma Hillson, endorsed the fire investigator’s opinion on the cause of the explosion, attributing it to Mr. Cooper’s actions. Considering his history of mental health struggles, previous suicidal ideation, the note left for his niece, and the shared Facebook video, Ms. Hillson determined that Mr. Cooper had taken his own life with intent.
For support during challenging times, individuals can contact the Samaritans helpline at 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a local branch, or access the Samaritans website.
