The Sentinel
Posted: August 28, 2013
By sentinel reporter
A FATHER-OF-FOUR hanged himself after suffering from years of mental health problems.
David Vaughan, aged 53, was found dead at his Mow Cop home by his only daughter, Aimie.
He had left notes for her and his sons in his kitchen.
An inquest at North Staffordshire Coroner’s Court yesterday heard Mr Vaughan’s father had taken his own life in 1982, a few months after the death of Mr Vaughan’s mother.
His son Wayne told the hearing that former welder Mr Vaughan had suffered a breakdown in 1999, following an ‘incident’ at work.
He said: “They had done something to him, a joke gone wrong. He couldn’t go back to work after that.
“Until then we were a normal family, and then everything just blew up.”
The inquest heard that the ‘incident’ may have sparked traumatic memories relating to Mr Vaughan’s childhood. Following his breakdown he started drinking heavily and was subsequently prescribed medication for anxiety and depression.
Aimie Vaughan, of Mow Cop, said her father had been living in his High Street house for about seven months at the time of his death on April 26, having been forced to sell his long-term home because of financial worries.
In the week before his death Mr Vaughan had stopped drinking.
Miss Vaughan said: “He seemed as if he was on the mend that week. “I went to see him the night before. He seemed edgy. He avoided eye contact.
“I was trying to talk to him and he was almost looking through me.”
On the day he died, Mr Vaughan had tried to call his daughter while she was at work. When she was able to ring him back there was no answer, and she became worried.
She left work early and went to his home, where she found his body.
A post-mortem examination found there was no alcohol in Mr Vaughan’s system when he died. The cause of death was given as hanging.
Ian Smith, coroner for Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, recorded a verdict of suicide.
He said: “He had a medical history which included alcohol abuse and depression. He had left notes indicating an intention to take his own life.
“I’m satisfied there was no third party involvement.”
If you feel you may want to take your own life or are concerned about someone who is, talk to the Samaritans on 08457 909090 or contact your GP.
Anyone concerned about similar issues can call the Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline on 0808 800 2234 or consult Staffordshire Mental Health Directory via stokementalhealth.info and use the ‘I need HELP NOW’ link.