Former soldier complained of depression before suicide, inquest hears (From Daily Echo)

Former soldier Mitchell Wickenden complained of depression before suicide, Southampton inquest hears

12:52pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Rory McKeown, Senior reporter

Mitchell Wickenden on a tour of duty in Iraq

A FORMER soldier complained to family he was depressed before taking his own life, an inquest heard today.

Mitchell Wickenden was found dead at a house in Witts Hill, Midanbury, Southampton, on October 8 last year.

The inquest into his death was held at Southampton Coroner's Court this morning.

It heard that Mr Wickenden, who served for the armed forces in Iraq, had split up from his girlfriend and lost his job at a removal firm in the build up to his death.

Mr Wickenden stayed at his mother's house in Millbrook on October 8 as he had a doctor’s appointment the next day and told her he would inquire for time off sick for depression, the inquest heard.

In a police report, it was heard Mr Wickenden visited his uncle and cousin on October 5 and told them he wanted to stay on their sofa, telling his uncle he was depressed.

Mr Wickenden's last contact was with a friend on Saturday, October 6, before leaving him at 8.30pm.

Police found Mr Wickenden's body on Sunday, October 7, after his worried family could not get hold of him. He had hanged himself, the inquest heard.

A post mortem found alcohol in Mr Mitchell's system, as well as cannabis and cocaine.

Recording a verdict that Mr Wickenden took his own life, deputy coroner Gorden Benson said: "I am satisfied that on evidence I heard Mitchell Wickenden knew of the consequences of his actions that resulted in his death.

"Alcohol may have been a comforter or Dutch courage but it was not at such a level to negate his thought process.

"He had made a verbal threat to others of his intentions and problems in private combined with experiences in Iraq on active duty may well have combined to compel him to take the action he did with such fatal consequences."