Frazer Hammill took his own life after being questioned by police officers and arrested the day before
Actor Frazer Hammill (Image: Instagram/@amyvwalsh)
Emmerdale and Happy Valley star Frazer Hammill was found dead aged 41 after being quizzed by police, an inquest has heard.
The actor took his own life and left a note for a neighbour on December 30 last year, just hours after he was arrested by Lancashire Police. The note instructed the neighbour to not enter but call the cops as he had taken his own life, reports Yorkshire Live.
Area coroner, Louise Slater, concluded the actor’s medical cause of death was “1a hanging”. She added: “Frazer Hammill passed away at his home on December 30. He was a single man, an actor, and very close to his family members.”
When police and paramedics arrived at Frazer’s flat just after 2pm he could not be resuscitated and his time of death was recorded at 2.13pm.
The coroner said Mr Hammill had left further notes for his family and friends. “Therefore, I am satisfied that this was a deliberate act and Frazer had put thought, planning and intention into his actions,” she concluded.
The inquest also heard a statement from Mr Hammill’s sister Caroline, who said she was in “complete shock” after his death. She said none of the family were aware that he was “feeling low enough to end his life” and that he seemed happy.
Custody officers told Doncaster Coroner’s Court that Mr Hammill was in “good spirits” when he left the station following his arrest. They said they had no concerns for his safety or mental well-being. The Mirror reached out to Lancashire Police for more information.
Tributes have been flooding in for the actor, who played a prison guard on Emmerdale and a detective constable on Happy Valley. Emmerdale star Amy Walsh took to Instagram with a photo of Mr Hammill in December and said: “Rest in peace you wonderful man”.
Frazer Hammill appears in a production at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle(Image: Stoke Sentinel)
The actress, who plays Tracy Shankley, added on a post about his death: “There are no words.” She also commented some broken heart emojis.
The John Godber Company said it was “impossible to put into words how much he will be missed by all of us who had the absolute joy of working with him”.
They added that he had a “huge loving heart” and an “enormous talent”. Actor Lamin Touray also paid a tribute. He posted on social media: “You were one of the most talented, funny, kind-hearted, loyal, caring, wise people I’ve ever met; you taught me so much.”
He continued: “One of the most talented actors who became more than just a friend and colleague, you became family. You met my daughter just a few weeks ago. You came to watch the boxing at my house. All my family loved you and always spoke so highly of you!
“Me and you spoke about our big plans for 2026. We set goals and aims. You were in such a good place emotionally, career-wise, FLYING, but it wasn’t enough to keep you with us.”
Theatre Royal Wakefield added that Mr Hammill was a “talented actor” an a “wonderful collaborator”. They said his “warmth, professionalism and passion for his craft” would make him “greatly missed” by his family and friends.
As well as appearing in Emmerdale and Happy Valley, Mr Hammill was Kev in Abraham’s Point, the titular role in the Heart of Thomas Hardy, Luke in Shed Convention and Jonathan O’Malley in Last Laugh.
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