Staff at under-fire Child Maintenance Service may have missed suicidal thoughts of plumber, pre-inquest review told

A pre-inquest review heard that up to four Child Maintenance Service (CMS) employees may have missed signs that Peter Racher was experiencing suicidal thoughts. The 41-year-old plumber was found dead at his home in Wymondham, Norfolk, in November 2025; his family believes financial pressure from a maintenance demand contributed to his death.

The Department for Work and Pensions’ internal investigation found opportunities to recognise concerns and act. The full inquest will examine the 40 per cent deduction from income, its financial and personal impact, staff responses and safeguarding procedures, including why a risk assessment raised no concerns. The coroner plans to hear evidence from staff and consider lessons to help prevent future deaths.