Suicide on The King's birthday: Elvis impersonator took his

Suicide on The King's birthday: Elvis impersonator took his own life




Published Date: 22 August 2008
By Joanne Mead

AN Elvis impersonator committed suicide on his idol's birthday.

Paul Barkham, 40, was found hanging in the bathroom by his girlfriend on January 8, an inquest heard.

Mr Barkham had been been a fan of the superstar since his teens and had tattoos of Elvis.

He had travelled to Graceland in Memphis, had two Elvis-style jumpsuits and had in the past performed a tribute act to the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Speaking after the inquest, his mother Catherine Barkham said her son was very popular and more than 300 people had attended his funeral.

"He absolutely loved Elvis," she said. "We put him in one of his Elvis suits when he died and one of his favourite songs, The Wonder of You, was played at his funeral. It still makes me cry when I hear it.

"He was so popular and had so many friends.

"He had apparently told some friends he was planning to take his life on January 8 but we thought it would be when he was 43, just like Elvis."

But Mr Barkham was an alcoholic, according to doctors, and was in financial difficulties when he took his own life at his home at Bridge End, Rastrick.

The inquest at Halifax Town Hall yesterday heard he had suffered with depression, which had become worse since he was attacked outside the Commercial pub in Rastrick, in June 2005. The assault left him unable to work and gave him panic attacks.

Born in Halifax, father-of-two Mr Barkham was the youngest child of Donald and Catherine Barkham, of Rayner Road, Brighouse.

Donald Barkham told the hearing his son had taken an overdose of 60 painkillers, mixed with alcohol, several years ago.

Coroner Roger Whittaker said it seemed the attempt on his own life was a cry for help.

The inquest heard from Mr Barkham's girlfriend, Rebecca Nunns, who said they had been out shopping and spent some time at a pub in the hours leading up to his death.

They returned home and, a short time later, they argued after she received a text message from a man wishing her a happy new year.

While Miss Nunns was preparing food Mr Barkham hanged himself.

In a statement read out at the inquest Miss Nunns said she cut him down and tried to resuscitate him.

A suicide verdict was recorded.

Article Source: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Suicide-on-The-King39s-birthday.4417590.jp

In this article above they are saying that Elvis was around "43" when he passed away...

So I have taken the liberty of sending out a letter to the columnist that wrote this article and here it is below.


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Subject: Error in your article

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Suicide-on-The-King39s-birthday.4417590.jp

Joanne, (joanne.mead@halifaxcourier.co.uk)

I am a huge Elvis fan and I would like to bring to your attention, that perhaps it would
be in your best interest, if in the future you do a article and if it has any reference to do
with Elvis that you do your research first.

In this article, you say that it was mentioned people thought Paul would die around Elvis' age of "43" . Joanne, when Elvis passed away, he was only "42" years old.

Perhaps a correction to your readers now "is in order". Thank you!!

Sincerely..

Charmaine Jensen-Voisine