The family of a DJ who took his own life, have paid tribute to the doting father with an infectious smile.

Peter Mildon, 25, committed suicide after suffering from severe depression which began when his home and all his possesions were destroyed in an arson attack.

His brother David Parish said: “The situation was bad, he had his house burned out and felt let down by the police. He lost everything.

“That was the beginning of him spiralling out of control with his depression.”

He said his brother felt he was unable to protect his partner Erica Heglan and their three-year-old daughter Shayla Paige, who he doted on.

His mother Diane Mildon said: “He gave us no clue whatsoever that he was as down as that. Peter had been clear of his drugs, he had been doing well."

She said the whole family were struggling to come to terms with Peter’s death.

His sister Sharon Sayer said: “We relive that day every morning when we wake up.”

His family remember him as a “good kid” always grubby from playing outside with his friends or trying to make speakers out of anything he could get his hands on, including his sister’s hairdryer.

His brother, who worked with Pete at his painting and decorating business said: “He wanted to be a DJ since he was seven.

“He could make anything out of anything, he was like the A Team all on his own. He was really good with his hands.”

He was well known on the local club circuit as DJ Spi.

In a statement, his family paid tribute to the generous young man who would go out of his way to help anyone. They said: “Peter Mildon’s family would like to thank everyone for their support and compassion since Peter’s death, and to thank those who have contacted us regarding the recent article in the Croydon Guardian.

“Peter began using heroin at the age of 15. This was for a very short period of time, after which he succeeded in becoming clean with the help and support of his family. He did not use the drug again until the age of 24, when he began taking very small amounts to help combat depression caused by problems in his personal life; he again sought help after a short period of addiction and began an effective course of methadone treatment.

“Peter began drinking moderate amounts of alcohol some months later after an arson attack in the house where his partner and young daughter lived; this attack destroyed all of their possessions and caused Peter to drop back into depression because he felt unable to protect his loved ones.

“Unfortunately this mixture of alcohol and methadone led to unpredictable behaviour on his part; however the regular tests he was undertaking as part of his therapy were consistantly negative for for illegal substances.

"Peter went missing on November 20 and was found by the police un the early hours of November 23 after his family reported his disappearance.

“As a child Peter was always friendly, respectful and incredibly helpful to anybody he met and this did not change as he got older.

"Peter always had an infectious smile on his face no matter what problems he was dealing with at the time, and it was impossible to be unhappy in his presence.

"Peter was an extremely loving son, brother, uncle and father and his idolisation of his daughter was the principle driving force behind his desire to overcome his drug problems.”

Peter's friends paid tribute to the popular young man.

Robert Handyside, Peter’s friend and fellow DJ said: "I first met Peter in 1999 when I first started at Archbishop Lanfranc in Croydon. He saw I was the 'new guy' and welcomed me along with Hallam McDuff and David Murphy.

"Every time I turned up back on Petes doorstep I was always welcomed like I had never been away. And he would fill me in on everything he had been up to, I would get all the stories.

"I experienced a bad break up and things with my children's mother had not worked out. Pete was there to listen. He got me back out into the world.

"He picked me up when I was at my lowest point.

"Pete had a long term girlfriend, Erica, who he adored. When Pete found out he was going to be a Dad he was overjoyed.

"He was more than happy to take a step back from the club world and spend time with his new family.

"Pete loved all his family and would often spend time with his brother Phil DJ'ing and his parents at their home address.

"I remember the day Erica went into labour.

"Pete would be running back and forth with updates and for a cheeky cigarette, so excited.

Then the moment came. I have never seen the guy so happy in my life. This was it for him, better then any party. He was a father! A proud father at that, to his daughter Shayla.

"Pete, Erica and Shayla then moved into their own house in South Croydon. I would go round their almost every night after work, I am sure I drove them both mad. They never turned me away, though, and always made me feel welcome.

"Pete continued to DJ at the odd party, but concentrated his time on his trade, which was landscape gardening, and with his family.

"The last time I saw Pete, I was on my way home from work and I bumped into him at East Croydon. He was all smiles and happy.

"We gave each other a hug and said we would see each other soon.

"Pete, DJ SPI you gave me the confidence in myself to not give up. Without you and your support through my dark times, I would not be here and I would not be where I am today. I miss you mate."

Donna Riley gave tribute to her friend and neighbour. She said: “Peter was like a brother to me. Peter was so so friendly and always in and out of my home in the last 10 years.

"In the last two years Peter taught himself landscape gardening and transformed my garden for me and my girls.

"Peter was a very loving and caring person that I and my children love and miss very much.”

Herby Spencer, who Pete helped with his gardening, said: “Peter was always polite and never rude, he was always helpful since he was a small child.”

The samaritans provide emotional support for anyone in despair. Contact them on 08457 90 90 90 or go to www.samaritans.org.

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