Popstar Finley Quaye's musician son, 24, killed himself

Nineties popstar Finley Quaye’s musician son, 24, played final gig before he killed himself, inquest hears

• Caleb Quaye, 24, was found dead by his mother at home in Brighton on July 7 
• Contact Samaritans for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected] or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch 

An aspiring musician killed himself after feeling ‘overwhelmed’ about his career prospects and splitting with his girlfriend, an inquest heard.

Caleb Quaye was the son of reggae singer Finley Quaye, who scored top 20 hits in the late 1990s with ‘Sunday Shining’, ‘Even After All’ and ‘Your Love Gets Sweeter’.

Caleb, 24, was working as a roadie with other bands helping to check their sound equipment after moving into his mother Mercedes Gutierrez’s home. 

On July 7, his mother found him hanging the morning after playing his final gig at a local club in Brighton, East Sussex.

The hearing at Brighton and Hove coroner’s court heard the musician had been struggling to cope with recent events in his life.

Musician Caleb Quaye, 24, was found dead at his mother’s home in Brighton, East Sussex, on July 7 after reportedly feeling down about his career and a split with his girlfriend

Caleb’s father Finley, 49, who won BRIT awards at the height of his success in the 90s, was spared a jail sentence at Edinburgh Sheriff’s Court last week after admitting to smashing up his former partner’s cafe shortly after Caleb’s death

READ MORE: 90s POP STAR HANDED SUPERVISION ORDER AFTER SMASHING UP EX-GIRLFRIEND’S CAFE

Ms Guiterrez told the coroner: ‘He had been feeling overwhelmed through issues and battling with himself.

‘His girlfriend had split up with him three days before.’

At the time of his death, Caleb was waiting for an assessment for ADHD and had been practicing yoga to calm his moods.

His band had not made as much progress as he had wanted and he was going ‘to some dark places’, his mother said.

‘He had self harmed before and cigarette burns on his face were self-inflicted,’ she said.

‘He never mentioned suicide but said he was going to a dark place. He would set up stages for other musicians to earn money.’

Caleb’s father Finley, 49, who won BRIT awards at the height of his success in the 90s, was spared a jail sentence at Edinburgh Sheriff’s Court last week after admitting to smashing up his former partner’s cafe shortly after Caleb’s death.

Quaye broke open the front door of ex-girlfriend Rena Gawa’s business in Edinburgh on July 15 and threw chairs and flowers before breaking a number of glasses.

Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss offered his sympathies to Quaye, currently residing in Kensington, London, on his bereavement and sentenced him to a 12 month supervision order.

The sheriff also agreed not to impose a non-harassment order.

Miss Gutierrez said she last saw her son alive when he came into her room at her home in Hove at 3 or 4am playing loud music.

Caleb was the son of reggae singer Finley Quaye (pictured), 49, who scored top 20 hits in the late 1990s with ‘Sunday Shining’, ‘Even After All’ and ‘Your Love Gets Sweeter’

‘I wondered if he had taken something. He was dramatic and liked attention.

‘He took things hard when he messed things up and had ups and downs.’

She said that she woke up at 7am on the day of his death and ventured downstairs, where she could see the top of his head. 

After realising he was hanging, she ran out into the street and cried for help.

Caleb’s paternal aunt Annia Summers told the hearing via videolink that she had spoken to her nephew just hours before.

‘He had dual diagnosis of addictions and depression but we were planning a trip to Yorkshire and to the Womad festival,’ she said.

‘He said he was going for a referral for talking therapies. I said I was proud of him for reaching out.

‘At no point did I get a hint of any dark forebodings.’

The court heard Caleb had alcohol and cocaine in his blood when he died.

Coroner Joanne Andrews said the drugs were not found in large enough quantities to have contributed to his death.

A post mortem found a single ligature mark around his neck and no signs of third party involvement.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, the coroner said: ‘I would like to say to the entire family how very sorry I was to hear of his death and pass on my sincerest condolences to you all.’

• Contact Samaritans for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected] or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

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