Hillberry crash death ruled to be suicide

Jack Sheppard suffered a skull base fracture

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A warning that this story contains information which some readers may find distressing.

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A man who died after his car crashed at Hillberry took his own life, an inquest has ruled. 

Coroner of Inquests James Brooks resumed the inquest of Jack Sheppard today (3 November) at Douglas Courthouse. 

The 31-year-old, from Douglas, died on 16 January 2026 after his car collided with a wall near the junction with Little Mill Road. 

The inquest heard that Mr Sheppard had been arrested the day before, and interviewed by police, before being bailed after a search was carried out at his home. 

Custody

Custody Sergeant Harry Jones outlined to the court the procedures for ensuring the health, rights and entitlements of people held by the Isle of Man Constabulary and the questions he'd asked Mr Sheppard. 

He revealed the heating and compliance engineer had informed officers he had previously harmed himself when in high school but had not since. 

Sergeant Jones said Mr Sheppard did not come across as someone who was withholding thoughts of harming himself and there had been no issues while he was in custody or on being granted bail. 

When he was bailed Mr Sheppard, who had not been arrested before, was provided with leaflets detailing support available, advised to speak to friends or family, and told he could ring 999 if he found himself in a crisis. 

"I always make sure I do cover those options and make them [detainees] aware those options are out there," Sergeant Jones said. 

He added that the police would contact mental health services if officers had genuine concerns for someone's wellbeing, before being released, and that Mr Sheppard was ruled to be level one - no concern to a doctor. 

Answering questions from Mr Sheppard's father's advocate, Darren Taubitz, Sergeant Jones said he could not be certain the doctor had seen an advisory note saying Mr Sheppard had previously harmed himself. 

However Mr Brooks ruled that the doctor had access to his custody record as he made comments on the computer system and that would have shown his advisory notes. 

Family

The inquest also heard from Mr Sheppard's partner who lives in the UK. 

She said they had been together for about two years, had spent Christmas on holiday together, and had been making plans for future holidays. 

She added: "As far as I knew he was fine and happy."

Mr Sheppard's father Stephen added to this saying he had not met Charlotte before his son died, but that they were happy together, and that his son was 'made up' to have bought his own home and was a well-loved man. 

He explained that on the morning of 15 January his son's boss had rung him as he had not turned up for work.

On going to his home he found his door had been put in by police when they executed their search warrant. 

Stephen Sheppard contacted the police who could only tell them his son was 'safe and well' at the time. 

When he visited his son's home later that evening Mr Sheppard did not answer the door but his father could see and hear movement in his home and left him a note to say he would be free to talk when he was ready. 

'Taken his own life'

Early the next morning Stephen Sheppard received a text from an unknown number, which had been sent by his son, telling him he had taken his own life and to ring 999. 

Stephen then rang the police who attended Mr Sheppard's home; they found signs of self-harm including a video he recorded on his phone. 

Jack Sheppard was not at the property and his car was also gone.

A check of nearby doorbell cameras later showed that Mr Sheppard's car had left sometime around 6.30am. 

Search

Police began searching for Mr Sheppard and he was spotted around 9am on the Beinn-y-Phott road. 

Several police officers, and members of the public, outlined how they saw him driving in a fast manner, overtaking several cars, with officers observing he appeared not to be wearing a seat belt. 

As Mr Sheppard's car approached Brandwell he slowed down while the cars in front cleared the road on the approach to the junction for Little Mill Road. 

He then quickly accelerated and crashed his car into the wall, being thrown from the car in the process. 

Despite the efforts of emergency services and members of the public Mr Sheppard died as a result of his injuries. 

'Instantaneous'

Coroner Brooks said that despite these efforts Mr Sheppard's death, which was attributed to a skull base fracture, was 'likely instantaneous'. 

He added that was 'satisfied' the Isle of Man Constabulary had acted in the proper manner and that he had been engaged with by the duty sergeant. 

The coroner said that Mr Sheppard was generally a happy person, making plans for his future, before an 'abrupt change' following his arrest. 

He said he was 'satisfied' that injuries sustained by Mr Sheppard before the crash, and actions he had taken prior, showed he was intent on ending his own life. 

In recording a verdict of suicide Mr Brooks extended his condolences to Mr Sheppard's friends and family. 

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