A "kind and sensitive" son who died suddenly in his home was described as enjoying "the simple things" by his heartbroken family.
Despite battling with his mental health since around the age of 14, Thomas Anthony Piggott was said to have been "the best company". An inquest was held into the death of the 34-year-old on November 7 after he was found "unresponsive" at home on July 4.
In a moving tribute, read out to the court, parents Karen and Tony said: "Tom was a caring, kind and special person. He has always been completely honest, sensitive and moral. He always felt the injustice in the world, he was the best company, had a great sense of humour and enjoyed life."
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They went on the say he enjoyed the "simple things" like family meals, takeaways and weekly gaming sessions with his best friend. Despite troubles from an early age, Mr Piggott's life was "filled with joy and happy times".
The family statement added: "We will forever miss him, just chatting about books, films or what we were doing. Tom was never a burden, a better son we could not wish for. Rest in peace our lovely Tom, you will forever be in our hearts.
The hearing heard how Mr Piggott, of Coburg Wharf, was at home while his parents where on holiday in Spain but they kept in regular contact. There were "no concerns" until July 2, 2022 when contact had been "lost" for a short while.
Worried for their son, Mr and Mrs Piggott decided to cut their holiday short and return home on July 4, but that afternoon, the 34-year-old was found in his bedroom. In a statement read out to the court, Mrs Piggott said she knew something was "amiss" when she saw an ottoman outside of the room "had been moved slightly".
The hearing heard how from a young age, Mr Piggott struggled with his mental health, particularly around anxiety in social settings, this led to him using alcohol as a coping mechanism. But over the years, the 34-year-old, who made an attempt on his own life back in 2019, received help from several services and charities.
Mr Piggott was diagnosed with Asperger's around the age of 27 and went to live back with his parents and was said to have been a "good person to be around". Despite the 34-year-old managing his alcoholism and anxiety, close family members became ill, which could have been a "trigger".
The hearing was told that when he was happy, he was "so, so happy" but would "openly talk about suicide" to his father. The day before he died, he ordered a food shop to be delivered, with items for himself, suggesting his act was not "planned a great deal".
Recording a conclusion of suicide, assistant coroner Joseph Hart said he found the 34-year-old had taken a deliberate overdose of medication while his parents were on holiday.
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