Much-loved former journalist's mental health declined after issues with adopted rescue dog

A much-loved and respected former Liverpool ECHO journalist and Hillsborough campaigner died after his mental health declined rapidly following issues with his recently adopted rescue dog, an inquest heard. Dan Kay, known throughout Liverpool and beyond for his campaigning journalism, was described as "humble, selfless and loyal" at Liverpool and Wirral Coroners' Court today.

The court heard Dan made two attempts to take his own life in the days leading up to May 7, 2023 when he was tragically found dead on train tracks near Mossley Hill Train Station. He was 45-years-old.

Dan's death left his family, friends and former colleagues devastated and, in the months that followed, huge numbers of tributes poured in from the many people who knew and loved him. His journalistic achievements and campaigning for Hillsborough justice were even recorded in Parliament while a charity foundation has now been set up in his name.

READ MORE: The Dan Kay Foundation hits fundraising milestone after annual match at Liverpool FC

READ MORE: Charity honouring the legacy of inspirational former ECHO journalist Dan Kay launches

Today was the first day of a three-day inquest at the Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool which will examine the circumstances around Dan's death, including his interactions with mental health services following an attempt to take his life on May 1 and the consequences that led to his death on May 7.

During an emotional day in court, Dan's cousin Amos Waldman delivered a moving tribute to a person he described as "the most kind, generous and giving person I know". He added: "Dan was so warm, charismatic, engaging and thoughtful. He had the biggest heart and was so loyal. He rarely had a bad word to say about anyone." Mr Waldman placed a large, framed picture of Dan at the front of the court ahead of the proceedings as his bereft friends wept in the public gallery.

The court was told that Dan had previously struggled with his mental health and two decades ago had made two attempts to take his own life. He had spoken publicly about his battles on a podcast in recent years. While he was still struggling with depression and anxiety, his friends said his mental health deteriorated rapidly in the months leading up to his death, pointing to problems with his recently adopted rescue dog as a major contributing factor.

Dan's close friend Linda Duncan told the court she was concerned at the state of the dog, a mongrel called Boki from Bosnia, when it arrived in Januar, 2023. She said: "I was surprised that the agency just handed him over with no interaction. The dog was found to have kennel cough and other health issues. These were the first signs that something was wrong."

Ms Duncan described a time when she went to Dan's house and Boki tried to bite her, adding: "The dog was going crazy and Dan was horrified. He had really been looking forward to getting a dog but this was the wrong dog for Dan." Ms Duncan said Dan tried to reach out to the agency he used to adopt Boki for support but had received no response. He had also worked with a behaviourist, repeatedly sought veterinary advice and tried to have the dog rehomed elsewhere but to no avail. As the dog's behaviour became more aggressive and dangerous, he was told by a vet the best option was to have it put down.

Ms Duncan said after Dan informed the agency the dog had been put down, he received "malicious emails" from the company, including one from the dog's purported original owner in Bosnia which said: "You have murdered my dog."

Dan's close friend Steve Kelly also commented on this situation in a statement that was read out in court. He said: "Dan's mental health had deteriorated during the pandemic and even more so after he adopted a dog in January, 2023. When the dog arrived I said it was the wrong dog for him. It was very aggressive. There was something wrong with it."

Mr Kelly's statement added: "I said the dog was dangerous and needed putting down and the vet did put the dog down. Dan was absolutely heartbroken. He looked terrible. He thought the owner was going to sue him. He went downhill quickly. I told him he had done nothing wrong. It should never have been brought over here in the condition it was in."

Ms Duncan's evidence to the court also told of the events of May 1 when Dan made an attempt to take his own life at his Liverpool home. She explained both she and his friends had been concerned about his mental state and, on the day in question, were unable to reach him.

She said: "I called Steve Kelly. He said he hadn't spoken to Dan. He said he was going to go to his house. He then rang me and said that unfortunately Dan had made an attempt on his life. I jumped in a taxi and went down there. When I went in to see him he was just a shell of a person, curled up in a ball on the end of his settee. He lifted his head and put his arms up to me. I just said 'it's ok Dan, we are here, we have got you'. He was just in bits." Ms Duncan said Dan would later tell her he did not want to live but did not want to die.

Dan was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital on the night of May 1, 2023 and the following day had a discussion with mental health staff. He chose not to stay in hospital but to be seen at home by the community team from Merseycare. She added: "Dan was completely different when we left the hospital to how he was the night before when we went into his home. He was more relaxed and talking. I don't know if it was just a show for us. We will never know. He didn't like people worrying about him."

The inquest heard that Dan had made a previous attempt on his life just days prior to this on April 28, when he was also treated in hospital.

Ms Duncan said she stayed in touch with Dan in the days after May 1, but after that he said he needed space for a couple of days. On May 7, she said she became concerned when she couldn't contact him by phone, Mr Kelly told her he also couldn't reach him. Ms Duncan explained: "I rang the crisis team and asked if anyone had been in touch with Dan because they said they would phone him consistently. The woman told me she couldn't give out any personal details. I said I didn't want any. I wanted to know if they had phoned him. Eventually she told me that they hadn't so I called the police."

Evidence was heard in court from British Transport Police fatality investigator Leanne Callan about Dan's final movements following an investigation into his death which included CCTV and doorbell footage. Dan was seen leaving his house at 6.33am on the morning of May 7 and sitting in his car for three minutes before returning to his house. He came back out at 9.05am and was seen at around 9.45am sitting on steps by the railway.

Coroner Joseph Hart said he believed from evidence heard from Ms Callan that Dan died between 11.04am and 12.47pm on May 7 2023, when his body was first seen on the tracks on CCTV footage. The inquest continues tomorrow (Wednesday), with further evidence expected to be heard about Dan's interaction with mental health services in the lead up to his death.