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Devon Live
Carl Eve, Crime reporter
05:00, 13 JUL 2020 UPDATED11:43, 13 JUL 2020
Daniel Farleigh hugged his family and told them he loved them before walking off to take his own life, inquest hears
A stonemason who battled against depression and anxiety for years sadly took his own life, an inquest heard.
The inquest, held at Plymouth Coroner’s Court via Skype, heard how 56-year-old Daniel Farleigh had suffered a depressive episode 15 years ago but that it was being managed well with antidepressants.
He continued to used prescribed medication, but in recent years began to request numerous changes to his prescription.
After engaging with mental health practitioners, Daniel was urged to concentrate on a more psychological approach including cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness and breathing techniques.
Mr Farleigh, of Ugborough, had admitted himself to Plymouth’s Glenbourne unit at one stage but the inquest, presided over by assistant coroner Stephen Covell, heard that he did not find the acute hospital for people suffering mental health problems beneficial.
He continued to suffer low mood and anxiety and began to engage with the crisis team where he revealed he suffered ‘fight or flight’ feelings.
In addition, he revealed that he had suicidal thoughts and even when he was out walking with his dogs he would “look up at trees and think about taking his own life”.
However, he insisted these were fleeting thoughts and he had “absolutely no intent” to do himself harm.
The details of Daniel’s life were heard during an inquest into his death
The details of Daniel’s life were heard during an inquest into his death (Image: Penny Cross)
The crisis team’s care-co-ordinator who prepared a statement for the inquest hearing noted that Mr Farleigh emphasised to him that his family were a protective factor, that he loved life and was future planning, working well with mental health services.
It was also revealed during the inquest that he had been been suffering chronic headaches due to one of the prescribed drugs he was taking and had begun to reduce the quantity he took despite agreements that he would not change the dose.
A report from police who investigated Mr Farleigh’s death on behalf of the coroner noted how a statement from his wife highlighted how he had not been well for a number of years.
She confirmed one of their adult children had come home from Australia on February 4 this year and on February 14, Mr Farleigh and his wife had gone for a Valentine’s Day meal together.
The following day the son had brought home a gun, for which he had a licence, for a local shoot.
The next day Mr Farleigh left the house, saying he would be back shortly after popping out to buy fuel.
The inquest heard he told his wife he loved her and said goodbye. After he had left, family members spoke with each other to discover he had said similar to them and had hugged each of them.
Concerned about her husband’s behaviour, Mrs Farleigh went to the gun cabinet to find it open and the shotgun missing.
She alerted police immediately and a search was carried out. Later the same evening officers found the body of Mr Farleigh in a isolated area Membland, Newton Ferrers where he used to shoot pigeons.