Iraq tour veteran did not intend to take his own life
ACORONER has ruled there was ‘no conclusive evidence’ that a much loved former soldier from Runcorn found dead with a washing line around his neck had intended to kill himself.
Anthony Steven Hodnett, 31, of Waterford Way, was found deceased on the morning of Sunday, March 27, in the back yard of his partner’s house on Waterloo Road where he had been staying.
Detective Sergeant Rob McLoughlin told an inquest at Warrington Coroner’s Office on Monday a smashed upstairs window, banging reported by neighbours the night before and a text message sent by Mr Hodnett at 11.30pm on Saturday, March 26, suggested he may have been trying to attract attention for someone to let him in at some point prior to his death.
Jodie Jameson, Mr Hodnett’s partner, said she had been staying at her parents’ house and her battery had run out at about 8.40pm on Saturday evening so she did not receive the message until Sunday, having informed Mr Hodnett earlier on Saturday she would be staying elsewhere.
DS McLoughlin said Mr Hodnett was found ‘fully clothed, still stood up but slumped forward’, adding that he was ‘ more than satisfied’ there was no foul play, as were scene-ofcrime investigators and the pathologist.
He said nothing was found that would be characterised as a ‘suicide note’.
A post-mortem found ‘no other signs of trauma’.
A toxicology report found alcohol and a ‘recreational’ amount of cocaine in his system.
The inquest heard that call centre worker Mr Hodnett had served eight years in the Army including two Iraq tours and service in Northern Ireland and upon his return had been ‘struggling’ with the return to civilian life.
Assistant coroner for Cheshire Dr Janet Napier said he ‘saw action’ and ‘unpleasant things’ during his military career.
In her summing up she added that he had experienced a ‘very bad time in the Armed Forces’ and ‘may well have been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder’ and did not ask for help.
However, she said she could not ‘find any conclusive evidence that he actually wished to end his own life’.
She said he had not tied the washing line around his neck and ‘may have slumped over it while going to sleep’.
Dr Napier recorded narrative conclusion, with the cause of death hanging ‘due to the effects of constriction of a washing line that he was leaning over’.
She added: “He was upset and intoxicated but there’s no definite evidence he was intending to end his life.
“It’s very sad. I really don’t think he intended to kill himself. “After serving his country he didn’t get help and was trying to self-help really with the alcohol and drugs.
“I think we should respect his work on behalf of the community that it affected him very badly.
“He was a very fond dad a very much-loved mem- ber of the family.”
Veterans seeking support can call The Armed Forces Charity SSAFA on 0800 731 4880 or Runcorn Veterans Association on 07967 795 179.