Jobless Henham man hanged himself, coroner rules — (Hertz and Essex Observer)

George Napper, 57, was found dead by his brother in one of the bedrooms of the home they shared in the village’s Old Mead Road. He was suspended from the bedroom door, Chelmsford Coroner’s Court was told.

Coroner’s officer Debbie Frost told the hearing yesterday (Wednesday, April 24) that Mr Napper had recently become depressed because he was out of work.

“His brother noticed marks to his neck and cuts to his wrist,” she said. “Mr Napper saw his GP on February 8 and expressed suicidal feelings. He was prescribed anti-depressants and referred to the community mental health team.”

Counsellors visited him the following day, however on February 13 his brother returned home to make the gruesome discovery. He alerted their sister, who lived nearby, and called the emergency services.

Under instructions over the phone, he cut the rope and started cardiac pulmonary resuscitation, added Mrs Frost.

A post mortem established that Mr Napper died from asphyxia due to suspension by ligature. Essex deputy coroner Eleanor McGann recorded a verdict that he committed suicide.