RECORD OF INVESTIGATION INTO DEATH (WITHOUT INQUEST)
Coroners Act 1995
Coroners Rules 2006
Rule 11
These findings have been de-identified by direction of the Coroner pursuant to S.57(1)(c) of Coroners Act 1995
I, Michael Brett, Coroner, having investigated the death of Mr M
Find That:
(a) The deceased died in April 2011 at his residence in Launceston;
(b) The deceased was born in February 1977 in Victoria and was aged 34 years at the time of his death;
(c) Mr M died after taking his own life. I find the cause of death was hanging;
(d) No other person contributed to the cause of Mr M's death.
Circumstances Surrounding the death :
Mr M was discovered by his housemate, hanging by a rope from floorbearers in the garage of the house that they shared. He was discovered at 5:40 pm in April 2011. A post mortem has confirmed that Mr M died as a result of hanging. There were no other signs of significant external trauma to suggest the participation of any other person.
It is clear from the evidence revealed by the investigation that Mr M had had a troubled life. He had served time in prison after conviction for an offence relating to the death of another person. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that he had from time to time, and over a lengthy period, abused alcohol and drugs. He had had failed relationships. At the time of his death, he was in a relationship but it seems that there were some difficulties in that relationship. His girlfriend, Ms D, describes arguments over the week leading up to his death. They had an argument during the course of the morning of his death. Ms D last saw him at about 10:00 am.
There is evidence to indicate that Mr M had been diagnosed with depression and prescribed anti-depressants. He last consulted a medical practitioner in November 2010.
Ms D indicates that Mr M had described having attempted suicide on many occasions. From time to time during the course of arguments, he would threaten to commit suicide.
The evidence is overwhelming that Mr M's death resulted from suicide by hanging. It is impossible to determine why he made the decision to take this action. All that can be safely said is that his decision to end his life was a deliberate one. It could not reasonably have been foreseen or prevented by anybody else. Although he was upset on the day in question after an argument with Ms D, this was not an unusual occurrence, and there was no objective reason to think that he would take the step of ending his life.
Comments and Recommendations:
There is no other comment nor recommendation that I make as a result of the circumstances of this matter. It is not necessary to hold an inquest into Mr M's death. The investigation has elicited all possible information surrounding the death and nothing more could be gained from the holding of an inquest.
I take this opportunity of extending my sincere condolences to Mr M's family and those close to him.
The matter is now concluded.
DATED: 29 November 2012 at Devonport in the State of Tasmania