Charlestown man found hanging from tree

Aug 07, 2008 News

The Duesbury family of Lyng Street, Charlestown, was thrown into a state of shock early yesterday when they found a family member hanging from a tree.

At around 07:30 hours yesterday, they discovered the body of 37-year-old Peter Duesbury with a rope around the neck and hanging from a tree aback of his home.

The dead man’s mother, 77-year-old Sylvia Duesbury, told this newspaper that she last saw her son moments before receiving the news that he had hanged himself.

The woman recalled that it was customary for her son to assist with chores around the house which he did early yesterday morning before leaving for his usual exercise routine.

“He full up water as usual and help out around the house and then he left; he would normally go and walk around the area to exercise,” the woman recalled.

She said that after a while, when he did not return, a neighbour came and informed her that he had hanged himself.

When asked what might have been the reason for her son’s action, Mrs. Duesbury said he was mentally disturbed and that could be the only reason.

“He never talked about having any problems; he never showed any sign of being suicidal. I know he is mentally ill and was on treatment, but as of recent, he came off the treatment,” Duesbury said.

She added that her son, who was employed at a car wash, has no children and is the youngest of her six children.

The dead man’s sister, Sharon Duesbury, said the incident came as a shock to her.

“I am very surprised. I never knew he had dem things in he mind. I know he was sick, mentally, and he used to smoke but I never expect that from Peter.”

The woman added that her brother dropped out of school when he was 14 because of his mental problem.

Another brother of the dead man expressed similar sentiments. When this newspaper arrived at the scene yesterday police had already taken down the man’s body.

Neighbours converged to get a glimpse of the body as news got around. Peter Duesbury’s remains were subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s mortuary to facilitate a post mortem examination.