Former Kirklees mayor 'intended to take his own life' written inquest finds
Cahal Burke was found collapsed at his home in Lindley back in March
An ex-Kirklees mayor left a note for his family before taking his own life, a written inquest concluded.
Cahal Burke was found collapsed at his home in Lindley, after having consumed a large number of tablets on March 9. He was aged 48 at the time of his death.
Assistant coroner Charlotte Keighley concluded the case with a “written” inquest, in which documentary evidence was considered without a public court hearing.
In a Record of Inquest, the coroner concluded that the Independent Kirklees councillor had typed a note for his family at some point before his death and had indicated his intention to take his own life and to be reunited with his mother.
The coroner wrote: “On the 9th March 2026, Cahal Colin William Burke was found in a collapsed and unresponsive condition, in bed, at his home address of…Dean Street, Huddersfield, having consumed a large number of tablets.
“Paramedics from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended and Cahal’s death was confirmed at 1013 hours the same day. At some point prior to his death, Cahal had typed a note to his family, indicating his intention to take his own life and to be reunited with his mother.
“Given the circumstances in which Cahal was found and his stated intention to be with his mother, it is more likely than not that at the time Cahal consumed the tablets, he did so with the intention of taking his own life.”
The coroner recorded a suicide conclusion and noted that the medical cause of death was toxicity. Cahal Burke, who previously served as mayor from 2023, represented the Lindley ward as a Lib Dem councillor from 2010 until he was suspended by the party on March 4. He was then listed as an independent.
He was on bail at the time of his death, having been arrested on suspicion of an online sexual offence.
West Yorkshire Police has been approached for comment.