A heartbroken artist whose fiancé died 24 hours before their wedding tragically took his own life just four days later.
Peter Leigh’s body was discovered at his Ramsgate home following the death of his beloved partner, David Adler, who had suffered complications with Covid-19.
After David contracted the virus, which the couple had fought tooth and nail to protect him from, he was taken to hospital five days before the couple were due to wed.
Despite the concerns of those around him, David refused to let the hospital chaplain marry the couple, such was his determination to walk down the aisle.
But three days later he tragically died, and Peter’s mental health quickly deteriorated without his true love.
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He took his own life four days after his partner’s death.
Now, friends are paying tribute to the “inseparable” couple and, through the sale of Peter’s artwork, hope to raise money for a worthy cause.
Close friend Ruth Rollason said: “They were inseparable; they were always together. David came with Peter to university all the time, even on trips away for uni and they were both just such a laugh – great people.”
Fellow artist Russell Chater said the devoted pair “completed each other”, adding: “Peter was dashing with a Salvador Dali-esque moustache, whereas David was a bit shorter and bigger.
“Peter used to refer to him as his bear. They made for an interesting-looking pair.
“Their relationship was mutually dependent and symbiotic, but they completed each other – one person had all the things the other needed.
“David couldn’t have asked for a better carer. Peter waited on him hand and foot, he ensured he was kept safe – it was a real partnership.”
Born in Wales in 1963, Peter fell into the art scene from a very young age, though his formal education in the subject only began when he was in his 50s.
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A shy and caring man, he prioritised his younger years looking after his mother, before studying fine art at Canterbury’s University for the Creative Arts, supported by his partner.
Following numerous successful exhibitions and finishing university with a first-class honours degree in 2020, Peter was studying for a master’s degree when David’s health deteriorated in October last year.
Peter, 59, openly battled mental health issues throughout his life, with his role as a gay man in the world causing anguish in his younger years – motifs his art reflected.
“He found it very tough being gay,” shared another friend, Lucy Troubridge.
“He spoke of his struggle to become heterosexual at times, but he only revealed snippets of information because since he met David he was 100% happy.
“Peter relied very much on David to run the household, Peter struggled with that side of things but David supported him fully in his artwork – they took care of each other.
“When David died, Peter was very scared about how he was going to manage everything.
“When he died we were all so numb; we couldn’t really understand how hopeless he must have felt.”
Yet despite the devastation both deaths in October have caused family, friends and the wider community, much emphasis has been placed on the positive aspects of the couple’s lives.
Music lovers, car enthusiasts, art fanatics and Buddha collectors, both men enjoyed an eclectic range of interests, covering just about everything from politics to pop culture.
David volunteered at charity shops around Ramsgate, as well as being a keen singer and saxophonist.
Having spent the first years of their 12-year relationship in north London, the pair were often spotted back in the capital – with trips to Brick Lane in particular.
Further afield, they were known to be well travelled – a trait which stemmed from David’s upbringing abroad – with a home in Spain they adored.
They moved to Ramsgate as a result of David’s health issues – namely COPD – which forced him into early retirement and left the couple desperate for fresh air and a slower pace of life.
Ruth explained: “There’s such an endearing image I have in my head of these two gorgeous men in their convertible, with the top down just cruising around Ramsgate.
“They would be at every private view of any local art show; they were so supportive to everyone and anyone, absolutely integral to the community.
“Peter was by far the quieter one, David was a talker but when you got Peter talking about art, music or politics he really opened up, which was beautiful to see.
Meanwhile, Lucy’s own memories of the couple stem from when she met them at UCA Canterbury, where Peter was in the year above.
“I really admired his work at university; I was desperate to speak to him because I loved his work so much,” she went on.
“I didn’t realise until after the pandemic where they lived. Me and my daughter would go round for dinner and we’d draw and play games. David would tease Peter and me about talking too much about art.
“It was so warm, comfortable and fun.
“And for us, they live on in what they gave us, which was support, love and that drive to carry on making – that’s their legacy to us.”
In tribute, the trio of friends have put together a series of shows that will see Peter’s work displayed across Ramsgate.
Taking place at three different locations – mostly due to the sheer size of Peter’s back catalogue – the shows will take place between next Friday and Sunday.
All proceeds will be split between mental health charity Mind and Arts in Ramsgate – with people also being able to contribute via GoFundMe.
The shows will be hosted at Arts in Ramsgate’s High Street site, Redford House in Effingham Street and Hold Creative at Penstone House, Albert Street.
Discussing the plans for the displays, Russell said it “wasn’t for the group to interpret”, but Peter, who died in October, would have supported his art going on display.
“All artists want their work to be shown and loved,” he added.
