Stoke-on-Trent, August 23, 2024 – Paul Dono, a 46-year-old man who had been living in a tent, was discovered dead in his Travelodge hotel room on the day he was supposed to receive the news that he had finally secured a permanent home. The tragedy unfolded when his support worker, Chloe Henshaw, found his body in the hotel on Longton Road, Trentham, just as she was about to inform him of the good news.
The inquest revealed that Mr. Dono had been battling severe alcohol and drug addictions since the age of 12. His death was described as "a sudden unexpected death involving alcohol misuse." Despite his struggles, he was known to have periods of sobriety, during which he enjoyed activities such as going to the gym, spending time with his dogs, and being with his family.
Mr. Dono’s health had deteriorated rapidly, with the assistant coroner, Nicholas Walker, noting that his decline began towards the end of 2022 and continued into 2023. Walker expressed doubts about whether Mr. Dono’s death could be linked to previous suicide attempts, though the medical report did not support this theory. "Paul was barely one-quarter over the drink-drive limit," Walker stated, highlighting the persistent nature of his addiction struggles.
On social media, many expressed their sorrow and frustration over the loss of Mr. Dono. Sarah Eccles commented, "Awful, rest in peace," while Sharon Cassidy added, "God love him and keep him safe." Another user, Cyrus New, voiced concerns about the allocation of resources, stating, "Why are we not putting resources into helping our homeless, our own, instead of providing all the support to the thousands of migrants pouring in?"
Mr. Dono’s death serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by individuals battling addiction and homelessness. Despite the efforts of support workers and the community, his story tragically ended just as hope for a better future seemed within reach.