A beloved husband and dad took his own life mere hours after he received a positive Covid-19 test.
Shkelqim Paja, 43, was found dead in woodland just over 12 hours after collapsing, being admitted to hospital and being diagnosed with coronavirus.
The father-of-one's heartbroken family has been left 'shocked' by the sudden tragedy, saying that he never shared any thoughts of self-harming with his loved ones or his doctors.
But police who investigated the death believe that Mr Paja may 'not have been coping with being Covid-positive', heard the inquest into his death which resumed on Thursday at Bolton Coroners Court.
Mr Paja, of Wolsey Street in Radcliffe, was born in Elbesan in Albania before moving to the UK when he was 20-years-old and becoming a waiter in Greater Manchester restaurants.
Known as 'Jimmy' to family and friends, he married wife Miranda, a shop assistant, and the couple welcomed a little boy in 2017.
The waiter had long been a 'healthy man' and would even joke that he would 'never get ill', according to a statement from his wife read out in court.
Yet, in the six days leading up to his death on October 14, 2020, Mr Paja had started to experience 'mild symptoms' of coronavirus.
By Tuesday, October 13, his symptoms had become so severe that he collapsed down a flight of stairs and an ambulance had to be called.
At around 5pm that evening, Mr Paja was taken to Fairfield General Hospital and was checked over by doctors who told him that he did not need in-patient treatment.
To the surprise of his family, he was discharged just before 8pm and sent home to self-isolate.
"He was taken to hospital and I stopped at home with our son. I was surprised when Jimmy walked through the door later that evening," said Mrs Paja.
"I thought he would stay overnight."
The couple went to bed at around midnight, but Mr Paja left their home in the early morning of Wednesday, October 14.
Realising her husband was gone, Mrs Paja attempted to reach him, but found his phone was turned off.
While his wife was trying to get in contact, at around 8am, Mr Paja had been found hanging by a walker in a wooded area of Fold Road, Stoneclough.
By 8.22am, paramedics had pronounced Mr Paja dead and beyond resuscitation.
Just a short time later, the worried wife got a knock at the door that would leave her so shattered, she herself would have to be taken to hospital as she descended into distress.
"Some time that morning, police came to my house and told me they had found Jimmy," added Mrs Paja in her statement.
"He never showed any signs that he would harm himself.
"It could be that he ended his life because he was suffering with Covid-19.
"We are still very upset by what has happened, we still cannot believe it.
"I wish he had told me he was feeling this way.
"We miss him greatly."
Along with his family, the dad's medical history was reviewed in court and found that he had never expressed suicidal thoughts to his GP either.
There were suspicions among the family that Mr Paja may have struggled with depression and anxiety due to 'work stress' and, in particular, when his wife was living away in Albania for a period of time.
Yet, largely, Mr Paja 'never spoke' about any mental health concerns and 'would keep things to himself'.
"He seemed happy and never said if anything was worrying him," said the mum.
"I wondered if he might be suffering from depression but was never sure that he was.
"He never told me he felt this way. He could’ve talked to me. It doesn’t make sense.”
Doctors who saw him at Fairfield General said he was 'anxious' about his Covid-19 diagnosis and was 'panicky' after suffering a lack of sleep because of his high temperature that week.
However, there was 'no mention of suicidal ideation or mental illness' during his hospital visit the night before he took his own life, according to medical staff at the Bury hospital.
An investigation was launched after Mr Paja's body was recovered and a pathologist found that there were no illicit drugs or alcohol in his system that might have altered his state of mind or limited his mental capacity - only therapeutic levels of Ibuprofen and paracetamol.
Mr Paja's car, a Vauxhall Insignia, was also found parked near to the site of his death. Inside, police discovered more materials which indicated that he was planning to take his own life. There was no note or letter of explanation left behind.
There were no suspicious circumstances nor third party involvement involved, heard the court, but Mr Paja's coronavirus diagnosis could have been a factor, heard the court.
Police Detective Inspector Andrew Wright, who attended the scene, said: "I believe he wasn't coping with being Covid-positive and took his own life."
The findings led to the medical cause of death being determined to be hanging, while the coroner came to the conclusion that Mr Paja's death was caused by suicide.
Ending the inquest, Coroner Timothy Brennand said: "I draw the conclusion that the deceased, having made a clear, concerted and deliberate decision, unimpaired and not under the influence of intoxication or recent medication, knew that he was about to contemplate self-harm.
"The degree of preparation, the time of day, are all suggestive that this was deliberate."
The coroner described Mr Paja as being 'quiet, introverted and perhaps not particularly good at expressing inner feelings', and expressed 'regret' that more could not be done to find out exactly why Mr Paja had taken his life.
"These matters were a complete shock to the family. I regret that this coronial service has not revealed the reasons for this fatal choice within the small hours," added Mr Brennand.
"He went back to his family after being discharged. There was no Covid-related impairment of cognitive function. He had capacity in each critical stage. It was a deliberate and intentional act."
"Although there was no letter of intent, the deceased actions speak louder than any words," added the coroner.
Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org , write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.
For support for people feeling suicidal, if you are concerned about someone or if you are bereaved by suicide see http://shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk
CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline is for men who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. They're open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.
Childline (0800 1111 ) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
Beat Eating Disorders: Beat provides helplines for adults and young people offering support and information about eating disorders. These helplines are free to call from all phones. Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677, Studentline: 0808 801 0811, Youthline: 0808 801 0711. www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Anorexia & Bulimia Care: ABC provide on-going care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders, those struggling personally and parents, families and friends. Helpline: 03000 11 12 13. www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/
Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsagainstdepression.org
For information and links to charities and organisations that can help with substance abuse, visit https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/drugs/
