Michael William Goodchild died by suicide on February 16, 2023.
More than two years later, his inquest has yet to take place. It was originally scheduled for March this year, postponed to June, and has now been delayed again to August 13, 2025.
Two phones belonging to Michael were taken by police following his death to be downloaded and sent to the Coroner’s Court but his mum says only one was returned, and not until March this year.
The second, which his mum says contained sentimental videos, photos and messages, was never given back.
She says she was told by an officer that the phone had been destroyed during a “system update.”
Mary Osullivan, Michael’s mum, told the News Shopper: “That phone had everything. Now it’s like they’ve erased him. I’ve never been given anything in writing — no proper explanation, no apology, nothing.
“That phone was his memories. All his photos, everything. That’s something I’m never going to get back.”
Mary believes the contents of the destroyed phone were never reviewed or passed on to South London Coroner’s Court, and fears that the loss of this evidence may have impacted the investigation itself.
She explained: “There were supposed to be downloads from both phones, but I was told that last year but now I’m being told one of them was destroyed.
“I don’t think the coroner ever received anything from it. It’s been two years.
“Our family just want some answers and if anything, it feels like we keep getting given less and less.”
The inquest, now rescheduled for August, falls during the school holidays and has disrupted plans.
The latest delay was due to the coroner being “double-booked in his diary”. Mary says it feels like closure is constantly being pushed out of reach.
She described being treated without compassion on the night Michael died. While in shock outside his flat, she says she was placed in a car and told to leave the scene.
Mary explained: “I felt like I was underwater. I was in so much shock I couldn’t even hear what they were saying. They told my brother to take me away. There wasn’t even a liaison officer to support me.”
She says there has been no contact or follow-up support from police since. When the singular phone was eventually returned to her, she says the process lacked privacy and sensitivity.
She explained: “They met me at a clinic where I had an appointment. They spoke to me there in front of other people, before a member of staff directed me into a room.
“I was getting really stressed. I could see people looking at me. It wasn’t handled with care — it felt rushed and insensitive. I was overwhelmed.”
Mary claims that a constable later offered to fill out a compensation form on her behalf, but that she refused and made her position clear.
Mary added: “I told them — I don’t want compensation. I want accountability. That’s what I put in writing.”
Michael was known for his kindness and creativity. He loved music and had written and recorded a song about mental health before he died. His mum still has a copy of the song.
He also loved DJing and would often go to the booth with his brother and friends when they were home from university.
She said: “He was always smiling. He had such a presence. A lot of people knew him.”
Mary says the family is desperately struggling with their mental health and the pressure of the ongoing delays and lack of closure.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Our thoughts remain with Michael’s family and friends.
“We understand they are rightly upset and frustrated about the service they received from us at an incredibly distressing time and have apologised directly to them.
“We will fully support the inquest to understand more and learn any lessons.”
News Shopper has contacted South London Coroner’s Court but has not received a response.
Concerns around police co-operation with coroners are not isolated.
Just last week, the Metropolitan Police was publicly criticised by senior coroner Graeme Irvine over similar failings in the case of 23-year-old Anna Bellamy, who was found dead in her flat in Upminster in October 2023.
At a hearing on April 11, two officers were ordered to attend East London Coroner’s Court after the Met failed to examine her electronic devices, despite a direct court order.
Mr Irvine warned that future failures could lead to contempt of court proceedings and even imprisonment for officers who disobey instructions.
He said evidence standards at the Met had “collapsed” over the last two years and described the situation as “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
He told the court: “I haven’t seen much magic over the past two years, to be brutally honest. It’s not good enough.”
