‘Depressed’ police detective killed son, 3, before taking own life

A “Depressed” police detective killed his three-year-old son, after which he committed suicide according to information.

39 years old David Louden, was found dead alongside his little boy, Harrison, at their home in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, in August last year.

Today a coroner reached a verdict that Harrison was unlawfully killed while Sgt Louden died from suicide – there was no evidence of third party involvement in the tragedy.

For months before the double death, the dad-of-one had been battling “cabin fever” and “demons” worsened by Covid, Worcestershire Coroner’s Court heard.

Sgt Louden’s widow Samantha described the killing as “unforegiveable” and said she would miss her son “with every breath” she took.

The course of the investigation revealed that Sgt Louden had been depressed after shielding for three months during the first Covid lockdown.