3:57pm Monday 20th October 2008
By Raeanne Nightingale
A man found dead at a retirement complex in Swindon on Saturday afternoon has been named as reformed heroin addict Steven Gibbons.
Ambulance staff found the 38-year-old father of one at George Selman Gardens, Twyford Close, Park North after receiving a 999 call at 4.45pm.
Police were alerted and Wesley Kilbane, a 29-year-old local man, has subsequently been charged and remanded in custody on suspicion of Mr Gibbon's manslaughter.
Steven's mother Ann Gibbons released a statement today in memory of her son, in which she confirmed he had struggled with addiction and depression.
"My son was a normal man, who went to work at Honda, but unfortunately got depressed and suffered with anxiety," the statement said.
"This brought a strain on his marriage, which ended in divorce. My son did have a heroin addiction, but he did kick the habit and has been clean for just over two years. "He then ended up with a drink problem which he was getting help with. He was supposed to start a detox programme this Monday."
It continued: "He was not a bad person. He was a devoted father to his young son. He was a loving person and would help anyone if he could. "He loved his music and his Formula One and he was trying to get his life back on track. He had everything to look forward to, but through this tragedy he will not be able to.
"He will be sadly missed by his family and friends who loved him very much."
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