Swansea mum's triple tragedy

A SWANSEA mum who has lost all three of her sons in tragic circumstances has said she has to keep going for the sake of her daughter.

Linzi Powell is trying to come to terms with the death of Sean Hooper, 27, who took his own life.

Sean was a witness when, in February 1998, his brother Scott was hit by a car while crossing Fabian Way.

Then, four years on, his other brother Ross passed away after being found unconscious in a Cwmbwrla car park.

It was later alleged that the 13-year-old had been the victim of bullying and two youths were convicted of theft and assault on the youngster.

Now an inquest has been held into the death of Sean, in February this year.

Speaking after an inquest ruled that Sean committed suicide, Mrs Powell, of Gwynedd Avenue, Townhill, said: "You don't expect to lose your children first, especially three of them."

The mother, who has been left to comfort her 14-year-old daughter Asha, blamed a catalogue of loss.

She said: "He was a really kind and loving boy. He can't have been thinking straight, he must have been in a terrible state.

"It was days after the anniversary of Scott's death. His father also passed away in the month of February.

"Ross died in January but by the time his body was released he was buried in February as well.

"He was only 13 when Scott died and he actually saw it. He went off the rails a bit. With Ross as well it had a domino effect."

Of the future she said: "I have to keep going for Asha's sake.

"She found out about Sean on her birthday. She came home from school and I had to tell her. It has been really hard for her.

"She wrote a beautiful poem for him which she read out at his funeral.

"She has been brilliant supporting me, and she is only 14."

The inquest, held in the Civic Centre this week, heard that Mr Hooper had been found by his wife, Sarah, at his Sea View Terrace home, on February 24, hanging in the hall of the house. A suicide note was found nearby.

Police constable Nerys Lewis gave the inquest a brief outline of Mr Hooper's life.

She said: "His brother Scott was involved in a car accident on Fabian Way and he saw his brother being hit by a car and sent up in the air. He died two days later.

"Sean was 13 at the time and began drinking alcohol afterwards.

"Then Ross, his youngest brother, died at the age of 13, after allegedly being bullied by a group of young people.

"Sean blamed himself for Ross's death, saying that he should have been there for his younger brother."

The inquest also heard Mr Hooper, who has two daughters from previous relationships, was greatly affected by the death of a baby boy he believed to be his.

"Sean was described as going off the rails after that," said Officer Lewis.

Mr Hooper was said to have started experimenting with heroin and ended up in jail following a conviction for supplying before he appeared to turn his life around.

On his release he met his wife Sarah.

Officer Lewis said: "On the weekend of his release he met his wife Sarah and soon after they became inseparable. They married on December 14, 2011."

Sadly, Mr Hooper still had issues with alcohol with the officer saying: "He had started drinking heavier and began to need alcohol as soon as he woke up in the morning."

Mr Hooper had spent the evening before his death with a friend.

Officer Lewis said: "On Thursday, February 23, she (his wife) drove him to his friend's house and didn't see him again after that."

Swansea coroner Philip Rogers said: "Unfortunately Mr Hooper suffered a number of tragedies in his life.

"Also he had, over a period of time, drug and alcohol problems.

"When he married Sarah in 2011 he appeared to be trying to sort himself out but unfortunately it ended in tragedy."