Tragedy of popular farmer

SIBLING TELLS OF SHOCK CAUSED BY THE DEATH OF BROTHER, WHO HAD CONCERNS OVER THE OPERATION OF HIS BUSINESS, INQUEST TOLD

A “WELL-LIKED and respected” South Derbyshire farmer took his own life while suffering from anxiety and depression, an inquest heard.

David Thompson was found hanged in a barn at New Buildings Farm in Findern Lane, Burnaston – which has been owned by his family for decades – with a note in his jeans pocket.

Coroner Peter Nieto chose not to share the full contents of the note during Mr Thompson’s inquest, but confirmed it started: “Dear mum and dad; it all got too much”.

The hearing was told Mr Thompson had become consistently anxious over the operation of the farm, fearing his family would lose their home and worrying about inspections by the authorities.

The 52-year-old was struggling to sleep and was further impacted when his dog died and his father was taken ill.

A statement from his sister, Brenda Brown, read out by Mr Nieto, revealed Mr Thompson had lived on the farm with his parents all his life, having left school at 16 to work there. Ms Brown also said her brother had made comments to the family about taking his own life, but the inquest heard he had not voiced those concerns to medical professionals.

It read: “David was a good man who loved his family. He was well liked and respected by his friends and the farming community. His passing came as a shock to them.”

At the time of his death, single Mr Thompson was in regular contact with mental health professionals and was on medication for anxiety and depression.

He also struggled to sleep and had recently been taken to hospital after taking an accidental overdose of prescription sleeping pills.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Nieto said: “Mr Thompson presented in late 2019 with symptoms of anxiety and depression.

“He had previously suffered from anxiety and depression in 2010 and 2012 and it seemed to have been treated and solved. Clearly, he focused on problems in relation to the farm and worried about issues with its running. Nothing indicated he was doing anything he shouldn’t or his work was substandard, but he doubted his own ability.

“He was treated by his GP for anxiety and depression. He took an overdose of (sleeping) tablets and went to A&E, which prompted his GP to refer him to the crisis (mental health) team. The overdose appeared to be accidental in relation to him wanting to get to sleep. “Mr Thompson’s sister gave evidence that he said he felt like taking his own life on several occasions, but he did not voice those concerns to his GP or the crisis team. “Unfortunately, he was found deceased in a barn on the family farm on January 15, 2020. It’s clear his death was the result of hanging and he caused his own death. “There’s some evidence he’d been drinking alcohol immediately prior to his death, but the volume consumed is unclear and there’s no evidence he was intoxicated.”

■ If you need help: CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline for men in need of support. It is open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year. Depression Alliance (depressionalliance.org), a charity for people with depression, offers a wide range of useful resources and links. Samaritans operates a 24-hour service every day of the year. Email jo@samaritans.org or visit its website at samaritans.org

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