A family member of a well-known Big Issue seller in Oxford described him as representing kindness following an investigation into his sudden death.

Paul Crawford was acknowledged throughout the city for distributing the social enterprise publication and building relationships with passers-by. He died on December 30 last year.

The 48-year-old man’s investigation was held at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on Thursday, April 30. The hearing was told that Mr Crawford took his own life at his Oxford home.

According to Mr Crawford’s niece, Megan Jones, her uncle was loved more widely than he understood.

Ms Jones explained, speaking on behalf of herself and her sister, that their bond with Uncle Paul had difficulties.

During their childhood, he made their mother a vow that he would stay away until he became sober, a promise he kept throughout their adult years despite their efforts to contact him.

When they were young, Paul and his sister Lynn (Megan’s mother) in 1981 (Image: Contributed)

However, he was deeply present during their early years, caring for them, watching films, and always joining in their make-believe games. He was constantly fun-loving, a characteristic of the Crawford family – always the joker.

What stands out is how, despite his own difficulties, he showed genuine concern for others.

Whether walking someone’s pet or buying food for elderly residents in Summertown, these gestures of goodwill were distinctly characteristic of him.

He gave others his focus and showed many people that they mattered and were valued.

Society could certainly use more of that outlook.

The effect the Big Issue seller had on Summertown became clear after his death, when messages of respect filled a bench in the area to honour the familiar Oxford figure.

Evidence given during the inquest showed Mr Crawford had fought class A drug addiction for a long period, suffered from several ongoing health conditions, and was dealing with the deaths of companions and relatives.

Described by his niece as being more like a brother, Mr Crawford’s friend Dan died at the beginning of last year.

In comments submitted to the court, another companion of the deceased, Kevin Cooper, said they spent Christmas Day together as neither had family, and he knew this period would be especially hard for Paul.

He had lost a close friend he shared a home with in early January, and he realised Paul had never recovered from this loss, as he often talked about how much he missed him.

Kevin Cooper described Christmas as a good day, noting that Paul was laughing, joking, and playing with his dog.

He said this surprised him. He expressed that he is devastated by the death, and he thinks about Paul all the time.

The coroner concluded that Mr Crawford’s death was suicide, happening through hanging at his home on December 30, 2025.

He was discovered by police officers carrying out a welfare check on January 1.

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