Tadley man ‘died with a broken heart’

27-year-old carpenter took his own life after girlfriend left him

A YOUNG man killed himself after his girlfriend announced she was leaving, an inquest heard.

Tadley carpenter Bradley James Green “died with a broken heart”, his devastated mother told the coroner.

She described 27-year-old Mr Green as “my heart, my soul, my breath, my dream come true”, adding: “He was my everything... a very caring, loving, funny, generous, supportive young man.

“He always treated girlfriends with respect.”

But his life changed forever when he met a young woman named Lilian from Estonia, an inquest held in Reading Town Hall on Monday was told.

His mother said in a statement: “Very quickly she wanted to visit him for the summer holiday.

“I wasn’t happy – she was only 17. “She came for a few weeks.

“It was a nightmare; she was sullen and disrespectful.

“She didn’t speak to any of us except Bradley.

“I knew she wasn’t good for my son.”

She said before long the young woman – identified at the inquest only by her first name – had moved in with Mr Green and soon drove a wedge between him and his family and friends.

There were frequent arguments and Mr Green worked all day before returning home to wash up, clean the home and cook the evening meal while his girlfriend nagged at him, the hearing was told.

His mother said: “He would have to clean the flat from top to bottom.

“He catered for her every need, as did I – everything was about Lilian.

“I could see his spirit dwindling away but I still had a duty as his mother.

“I wish I’d spoken my mind on many, many occasions, but he adored her.”

She described one time when she had startled Lilian by placing a hand on her shoulder and said: “She punched me in the face.”

When Mr Green’s father died in September 2017, said his mother, Lilian resented the fact that it took attention away from her, adding: “She didn’t like that it was all about Bradley’s grief.

“She decided to leave my son. My son was broken.”

Meanwhile Mr Green had begun self harming and making attempts at suicide, the coroner was told.

Then, on Saturday, August 1, his mother said she was woken by police and added: “I knew he was gone.

“He died with a broken heart.

“He couldn’t live without her, or so he thought.”

Mr Green’s brother Jacob said in a statement that on shopping trips, “Brad spoiled Lilian, but she didn’t speak or thank him for anything.

“She would act like a sulky child if he didn’t do what she wanted.”

Despite the best efforts of mental health professionals who tried to engage with Mr Green and help with his suicidal thoughts, his body was found in woods off the B3051 near Baughurst, the inquest heard.

A post mortem examination found no traces of alcohol or drugs in his system.

Assistant Berkshire coroner Ian Wade said: “I’ve had many communications from friends and family who love Bradley and were deeply affected by his loss and who pick up many of the same themes.”

He stressed: “It is no part of a coroner’s inquest to condemn anyone or to ascribe blame.”

However, added Mr Wade: “The evidence is compelling and persuasive... it covers, in very persuasive detail, what caused Bradley to become overwhelmed.”

He described Mr Green as “a sensitive person who, some might say, was taken advantage of ”.

Mr Wade reached a conclusion of suicide.

He was my everything... a very caring, loving, funny, generous, supportive young man