There’s even more tragic news in the legal profession to report on today. We’ve received reports that the managing partner of a top law firm committed suicide in one of the most gruesome ways possible — by throwing himself under a speeding train this past December. Thanks to a public inquest held this week, we now know the details of his death.
Andy Duxbury, the chief executive of Aaron & Partners, one of the top 200 law firms in the UK, had argued with his wife, Judith, while on vacation with her on December 28, 2015. After he sent a series of disturbing text messages to her, Duxbury’s body was found beside train tracks the next day. The Mirror has more information:
Duxbury, 56, sent his partner Judith a text before he died saying: “I know it’s over – the last two years you have loved and hated me in equal measures. The irony of the ultimate selfish act is not lost on me.”
The father-of-three then stepped into into the path of the York to Blackpool train near Mill Hill station in Blackburn, Lancashire, the inquest heard.
Police found Mr Duxbury’s iPad, two framed family photographs, an iPhone, a bottle of whiskey, a digital camera and a set of car keys piled neatly at the side of the tracks.
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Andy Duxbury
Moments before he killed himself, Duxbury sent his wife a text letting her know that money “would not be a problem for her.” The driver of the train that hit Duxbury said that when he saw a figure on the tracks, he slammed on the brakes, but was unable to stop the train in time to avoid hitting Duxbury. An autopsy confirmed that Duxbury’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal alcohol-concentration driving limit.
Duxbury, a graduate of Leeds University, was unique in that he was a non-lawyer leading a large law firm. He’d been at the helm of Aaron & Partners since 2006, and was named a partner in 2011. Duxbury’s firm released a statement after learning that he’d died: “The partners and staff of Aaron & Partners are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Andy Duxbury. Our thoughts at this time are obviously with his family. Andy was one of a select band of non-lawyers at the helm of a commercial law firm.”
We here at Above the Law would like to extend our condolences and sympathies to Andy Duxbury’s family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.
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If you’re depressed and in need help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or a lawyer assistance program in your state. Remember that you are loved, so please reach out if you need assistance, before it’s too late.
Law firm boss walked into path of express train after row with wife during holiday [The Mirror]