Shockwaves were sent through the Millbrook community in Southampton after the sudden death of 13-day-old, Roman Nineham on January 6, 2024.
The baby boy, who was born on Christmas Eve, was pronounced dead at his home in Millbrook Tower despite the best efforts of paramedics, including the air ambulance.
In the wake of the incident, Roman’s mother, Jodie Chainey, 33 and father Stuart Nineham, 24, were arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child and neglect
While on bail, police confirmed that Stuart had died.
Police later said that no further action would be taken against Jodie in relation to Roman’s death.
On Friday, April 25, the inquests into both Roman and his father’s death took place attended by family members, friends and police giving witness statements.
The inquests were led by senior coroner, Christopher Wilkinson, who opened the proceedings by saying: “I’m very sorry we are meeting in circumstances such as these and I recognise how difficult it is for you all to be here today.
“As a father myself, I cannot begin to imagine the death of a child so young.”
It was said during the inquest that Jodie had a difficult pregnancy and was admitted to hospital 11 times while carrying Roman.
He was born prematurely and suffered from a chest infection that kept him in the neonatal unit at Southampton General Hospital for eight days.
After completing a course of antibiotics, hospital staff felt it was appropriate for Roman to be sent home on December 31.
The inquest heard that on the morning of January 6, at around 6am Roman was breathing and asleep.
Despite setting an alarm for 6:30am, Stuart awoke at 8:10am to find Roman unresponsive in his cot.
An ambulance was quickly called and CPR was done on Roman while he was blue lighted to Southampton General Hospital.
The inquest heard that despite attempts of paramedics, Roman was pronounced dead at 9.07am.
It was noted that 48 hours before Roman’s death, DI Steve Tuck said evidence was found on Stuart’s phone that he had purchased cocaine
The inquest heard that Roman’s father Stuart was a talented young man with a keen passion for music during his childhood.
He even taught himself to play the keyboard and guitar – and liked to create his own music.
In 2023 he had also qualified as a personal trainer.
Stuart’s grandmother, Maggie Nineham, described the 24-year-old as a ‘kind and loving young man.’
During her witness statement, she added: “Stuart was over the moon when he found out that Jodie was pregnant – he wanted to be the best father that he could be.
“The morning of Roman’s death he called me from the hospital and was extremely distressed.
“Jodie has a child from a previous relationship and Stuart always spoke highly of her.
“We believe Stuart helped her to pay her rent.”
While this statement was read out, Jodie disputed many of the claims and a conflict erupted between her and other members of the family.
Jodie left the inquest after the outburst and did not return to Roman or Stuart’s inquest hearing.
Forensic pathologist, Dr Russell Delaney, undertook a postmortem on Roman on January 17, 2024 and said that the cause of death was unascertained – meaning there was not enough evidence to determine an exact cause.
Mr Wilkinson said: “It is likely that Roman’s death occurred between 6am and 8am on that morning.
“There is no evidence to suggest Roman died as a result of action or inaction by his parents.”
In the months after Roman’s death the inquest heard that Stuart had fallen back into a cocaine addiction and owed money to a number of drug dealers.
Stuart was found dead in Mansel Park by his partner Jodie on April 30 at 10pm, just ten minutes after he left his flat in Millbrook Tower.
The 24-year-old’s cause of death was determined at the inquest as hanging.
Tears poured from family members as the coroner added: “Its important to note that death would have been instantaneous or very sudden – I say this not to be unkind but so you [family members] know he did not suffer.”
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