Lemuel Vanderville, 24, was found suspended from the garage ceiling at the home he shared with his ex-partner on Roman Crescent, Roundhay.

His family were left mortified after claiming police left the garage door wide open for neighbours to see the body inside.

The family also say they were ushered outside to where the body was by police officers, causing further distress.

They say the officers didn't wear gloves at the scene.
The family has now filed an official complaint with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Lemuel – known as Lemie – was found by his ex-partner Rachel Balls in the garage at 7am on April 5.

The couple had a son Kiran, aged four, and lived together despite splitting up some months earlier.

A Leeds inquest heard that no note was found, Lemie had never made threats to commit suicide and was getting his life together.
Coroner David Hinchliff said he could not be sure Lemie intended to take his own life but, equally, said he could not be sure it was an accident.

Recording an open verdict, he said: "When a person suspends themselves, a person can be quite overwhelmed in how quickly they lose consciousness – even if they thought they might be able to get themselves out, they will lapse into unconsciousness within seconds and will be dead within minutes."

A post mortem examination concluded Lemie died of compression of the neck caused by suspension by ligature.

Toxicology tests found no substances in Lemie's system apart from a small amount of alcohol although the inquest heard he rarely drank.

The police investigation found there were no suspicious circumstances

Speaking after the inquest, mum Victoria Bertrand, 42, who now lives in New York, said the family were disgusted with the way police handled his death.

"The scene was not secured, they did not wear gloves and the garage door was left wide open."
Lemie was working in insurance at the time after leaving college at 18. He had been a budding football player after being snapped up the Hull City FC youth training scheme back in 1999.

Mrs Bertrand said: "He was a good father and he took his responsibilities very seriously. He was a real gentleman."

Lemie had been a pupil at Braim Wood High School For Boys, Leeds, before leaving at 16.

His mum added: "He was the perfect father, that's what he wanted from his life. No one could believe Lemie would do that – especially with him having Kiran."

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said: "The complaint was referred to West Yorkshire Police by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and is currently being dealt with by our Professional Standards Department."