Uni professor, 43, ‘killed himself after mental breakdown’
A UNIVERSITY professor and government advisor took his own life after suffering a “mental breakdown”, an inquest was told.
An inquest into the death of Professor Martin Rhisiart heard how the 43-yearold died in June following a period of anxiety and depression.
Coroner Philip Spinney read out a statement to Cardiff Coroner’s Court from Prof Rhisiart’s wife Elena Rhisiart, who said he suffered from exhaustion after working long hours.
He was a professor of strategy and innovation at the University of South Wales’ Business School and was director of the Centre for Research in Futures and Innovation.
Prof Rhisiart also worked as an advisor to the Welsh and UK Governments.
The inquest heard he was diagnosed with ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, in the weeks before his death.
The coroner said: “He took diagnosis] very hard.” it [the
Mrs Rhisiart said her husband had been experiencing feelings of “hopelessness” and she believed he suffered a mental breakdown.
The inquest heard he had a history of anxiety and depression and had not slept properly for two weeks before his death.
She said they made a plan to get him help before going to bed on June 20.
Mrs Rhisiart told the inquest she woke at around 6.30am and saw that her husband was not in bed.
She found him in the garage and called 999, before giving him Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) until the ambulance arrived.
Emergency services arrived at the couple’s home in Thornhill just before 7am. Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.
The inquest heard he left three notes which the coroner described as “goodbye letters” to his wife, parents and two children.
Dr Margaret Saunders carried out a post-mortem on June 22 and concluded the cause of death was pressure on the neck.
She confirmed he would have lost consciousness almost immediately. The coroner recorded a conclusion of suicide.
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