'Prodigious' Gerrards Cross DJ died after 'running in front of a train'

Forty-six-year-old Dominic Hugo Jacobson – who was known professionally as Modaji and later as Harvey Lindo – was a talented DJ who played at clubs all over the world and was widely known for his single ‘Starburst Over Orion” and critically-acclaimed albums.

The father-of-two passed away on April 19 this year after suffering multiple injuries when he was hit by a train near Gerrards Cross Railway Station.

In a statement read out at an inquest into Mr Jacobson’s death at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday morning, Thomas Jacobson told the court how Dominic had been making plans for the future before his untimely passing.

He said: “Last summer he was in a much worse place than before the incident. On the day before his demise he had been planning to go to a concert.

“There were lots of things that indicated he had a purpose and a structure in his life.”

Shortly before Mr Jacobson died, he phoned one of his close friends Martin Phillips, and in a statement read out in court, Mr Phillips confirmed that his friend told him he was having suicidal thoughts.

He said: “I have known Dominic since 1990 when we met at university. We kept in touch ever since and went to Spain together in the 90s. We were like brothers.

“He phoned me unexpectedly and said he was having suicidal thoughts. He told me about the job he had not got. I think it was a huge blow for him and had impacted him a lot more than we all thought it had.

“I tried to think what would my girlfriend do as she works for the Samaritans. I tried to listen and give him advice. I really wish I had done more.”

Investigator Abigail Lewis recalled to the court that Dominic had stopped off at a number of shops before his death. He also had visited what is thought to be a green space, where he consumed a pizza.

Mrs Lewis confirmed to the court that Dominic was not said to have had ‘any physical contact’ with anyone in the evening leading up to his death but had contacted his family prior to the incident.

The pathologist confirmed that Mr Jacobson had both alcohol and cannabis in his system at the time of his death.

Senior Coroner Crispin Butler commented on these levels, saying that “these levels would not have been consistent with an accidental fall onto the tracks”.

Concluding, Mr Butler ruled the death as a suicide, and said that Mr Jacobson died as a result of multiple injuries sustained by train collision.

In a heartbreaking tribute to the talented DJ which was posted online, his family said he was “loved by so many”.

They said: “With the passing of time, the shock of Dominic’s departure will subside and I hope we will be able to look back on all he achieved in his life with pride and happiness.

“There is no denying Dominic had his ups and downs but what, perhaps, he never fully believed or appreciated, was that he was genuinely loved by so many.

“We hope, no… believe, that he has now found the peace he struggled to find among us and we can all take comfort from the fact that although his life was far too short he lived it to the full.

“It’s hard to forget someone who gave so much to remember.”

In another tribute, friend Martin Beaumont said: “It is heartbreaking to hear about the passing of an absolute legend.

“I always had a great respect for Dom for following his passion in music as a career and producing some great music of his own.

“In the mid-nineties I once spent an afternoon in the studio with him. It was intense as he was extremely driven and had such high standards, but it was clear from the early days that he would go on to produce some great works.”

The tribute page also features a fundraiser for The Slough and London Run, which helps the homeless, in Mr Jacobson’s memory – go to Dominic-jacobson.muchloved.com/fundraising to donate.

For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit a local Samaritans branch. See samaritans.org for support or advice.