Vulnerable pub landlord shot himself with crossbow

A pub landlord who shot himself with a crossbow was vulnerable "due to emotional and mental health factors", an inquest into his death has heard.

Hervé Louis Appert, 63, who had a history of mental illness, had set fire to the Chequers Inn in Wootton near Bedford, before armed officers attended on the morning of 19 September.

Appert shot himself at the rear of the building after a standoff with police, and died of his injuries in hospital two days later.

Coroner Bina Patel, at Ampthill Coroners' Court, was told Appert had previously spoken of suicidal thoughts and had been sectioned in the past - and had also received counselling for his mental health.

On the morning of the fire, friend and customer Tara Malciw received a text from Appert, who was known as Louis, which read: "Goodbye Tara you always brighten my day on your visits".

She said she immediately reported this to Bedfordshire Police as a concern for welfare.

Police officers were called to the pub at about 10:15 BST.

Armed units were deployed as Appert had permission to access weapons and was vulnerable "due to emotional and mental health factors", said Insp Jennifer Flinn.

PC Tom Wheeler, from the Beds, Herts and Cambs Armed Response Unit told the inquest he tried to negotiate Appert away from the burning pub but was told: "Move away my friend - it is going to blow" - before Appert demanded a cigarette.

Just before 13:00 he shouted he would come out "my way, not your way".

The officer said Louis walked out with his right hand holding the crossbow and his finger on the trigger.

It failed to discharge as the safety catch was on and armed police fired rubber bullets at his waist to disarm him.

Appert "released a single bolt into his head", Wheeler told the hearing, adding: "His mind was made up to take his own life after setting fire to the pub."

The court heard the cause of death was given as traumatic brain injury and severe burns.

Susan Levy, a former partner and close friend of Appert for 20 years, told the inquest his mental health "drove a wedge between us".

She said he had moved away from the area and lived in Scotland for a period where he was sectioned. He returned "back south" in 2015 - and in 2016 she said he was sectioned again after trying to take his own life.

In 2023 Appert moved to Wootton and began running the Chequers Inn, which he closed a year later as he "was feeling suicidal". He reopened it in March 2025 after receiving counselling.

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Levy said they had lots of conversations where he stated his intention to take his own life.

She said he was "tormented" by neighbours and he had run up £20,000 of debt with his electricity company due to confusion with his bills.

"Things most people are able to process affected him deeply," she said.

According to his doctor's records he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, diabetes and hypertension and had been under the care of mental health services.

Levy said he was one of 14 siblings, his father had been a prisoner of war in Germany and his relationship with his mother had been "very fraught".

The inquest continues.

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