Young bar owner found hanged
A BAR owner who had made threats to end his life was found hanged, an inquest heard.
James Christopher Donald Hume, 29, of Chelford Road, in Macclesfield, was found at his home in February this year, the hearing was told.
The hearing was told that Mr Hume had been out with friends in the days prior to his death.
It was heard that Mr Hume, who co-owned Rummery bar, in Macclesfield, was soon due to go away on a holiday.
However, on February 19, it was heard the Mr Hume’s mother, Caroline Hume, was unable to contact him and became concerned.
Mr Hume’s business partner, Alistair Goodwin, went round to his home to check on Mr Hume but found him hanging in his hallway.
Emergency services were called the address. An attending police officer said there were no suspicious circumstances.
Assistant coroner Peter Sigee conducted the inquest at Macclesfield Town Hall and read pathological and toxicological reports, which stated Mr Hume’s death was caused by hanging.
Alcohol and traces of cocaine were found in his body, but were ruled out as the cause of his death.
Mrs Hume’s statement was read out at the hearing, which spoke of her son’s relationship with his ex, Stephanie Teague and his struggles. Mr Sigee said: “In the latter part of 2017 they separated and there was some ongoing tension in that relationship and they did have some contact.
“One of those was a video she (Miss Teague) received and in it he had a ligature around his neck.
“She called the police and they found him asleep and he had no recollection of that incident.”
In her statement she said she had spoken to her son the day before his death and ‘all seemed fine’.
Mrs Hume added following the statement: “He was in a better place the last few weeks. He seemed to be picking himself out of it. It was all a bit of a shock.”
A statement from Miss Teague was also read out in which she said Mr Hume had threatened to harm himself before his death.
Mr Sigee read: “It scared me. I was worried for him and concerned that he would hurt himself.
“The end of the relationship was not good and his mental health was not good, he was making threats to his life.”
According to a statement from his GP, Mr Hume had no history of depression or anxiety.
Mr Sigee concluded the inquest with an ‘open verdict’ saying he could not make a judgment on Mr Hume’s intentions, based on the evidence of the hearing.
He said: “I am not able to determine his intention at that time.”
Addressing Mr Hume’s family, he added: “I would like to reiterate my condo- lences to you all and I am sorry we had to meet under these circumstances.”