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Tibenham man’s mother searching for answers five years after his death was deemed suicide




The mother of a man, whose death was recorded as a suicide, is still searching for answers five years after his death, and fears that his case has been mishandled.

Steve Rouse, 53, from Tibenham, was found in a park in 2018, having seemingly taken his own life, but his mother, Gloria Rouse, from Hellesdon, believes a catalogue of errors were made, and that a third party may have been involved in her son’s death.

“I scream inside for the loss, not only of a son, but a decent hard-working, caring man taken from a life he absolutely loved,” she said.

Gloria and Bill Rouse
Gloria and Bill Rouse

“Our son did not commit suicide, and I will not keep quiet, nor go away. My son and our family deserve justice.”

A highly skilled builder, Mr Rouse’s body was found at a play park zip line at 11.30am on October 26, 2018.

An inquest was held into his death the following year, with the coroner recording a verdict of suicide.

Steve Rouse
Steve Rouse

Since his death, Mrs Rouse and her husband, Bill, have been fighting against what they feel to be a rushed case and an incorrect verdict.

Mrs Rouse has requested a review by the coroner’s service, has emailed numerous police departments, press and MPs and is preparing to contact the Independent Office for Police Conduct in a last-ditch attempt to have the case reopened.

“The coroner had previously said she may conduct a review if given new evidence, before deciding that the evidence wasn’t enough to open one. The police have closed ranks, too.” said Mrs Rouse.

“For four years, we tried to find anyone who had seen Steve or his car between when he was last seen, which was around 3am or 4am, and when he was found at 11.30am – just a seven-minute drive away.

“Police didn’t take statements from everyone they should have, and the officer who found him said in a statement that he and the ambulance staff member deemed it suicide, and I think they based that purely on how he was found.

“When police told us he had been found dead – shock would be an understatement. Steve taught on a youth training scheme in Lewisham, and enjoyed passing on his building knowledge. He loved his work and many colleagues said how he made work fun.”

The tower built by Steve in the months before his death.
The tower built by Steve in the months before his death.

Mr Rouse’s building talents had been highly praised by a client for whom he had built a tower at his manor in Northwold – and who later planted a tree and installed a plaque in his memory.

“He had been a builder from the age of 16. He was a very caring, funny guy,” said Mrs Rouse.

“There have been so many errors and discrepancies throughout. I’m not sure if it is deliberate, cost-cutting or just laziness. The coroner is guided by the police version, and there lies the problem.”



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