‘Doting’ father who took own life left ‘can’t take pain’ note

INQUEST: DAD-OF-TWO HAD TROUBLE WITH ALCOHOL AND RELATIONSHIPS

A DERBY man who said he was living in “pain every day” took his own life, an inquest heard.

William Coulter was found dead at the Bedford Street flat in California he was living in on June 15 last year.

The 33-year-old, who was unemployed, was described by his family as a “doting father” who loved his family and friends.

An inquest into his death which was held at Derby Coroner’s Court on Thursday did not detail the precise nature of his pain, but noted he had a history of depression and alcoholism misuse.

Giving evidence, PC Haywood, of Derbyshire police, said officers were called to a flat where Mr Coulter had been staying for several months after a friend found his body.

He said Mr Coulter had last been seen alive on June 13, by friends at a social event, who described him as being “quite jovial”.

He added there had been a disagreement between him and some friends on a WhatsApp group chat titled “Alpha Males” the same night, but this appeared to have been resolved by the end of the evening.

When searching his room, officers found a notebook placed on Mr Coulter’s bed in which he had left a note to his family apologising to them.

In the note he described his love for his family, before saying he could no longer “take the pain” he felt every day.

The police constable added there was no evidence of any third party involvement or suspicious circumstances.

He said while speaking to family and friends it became clear Mr Coulter was a “very good friend to a lot of people”.

“He had problems with relationships in the past and also issues with alcohol, which he acknowledged and wanted to overcome,” he said.

In a statement provided by his GP, it was revealed Mr Coulter had been prescribed Sertraline in January 2020 after a relapse into depression following his recent release from prison for an offence which was not revealed in court.

A statement provided by his mother, and read out by Susan Evans, assistant coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, described him as a “doting father to his children”.

“As a child he was a happy boy who doted on his brothers and sisters,” she said.

“From a young age he began drinking - this played a large factor in his life.”

She said Mr Coulter had two children from a previous relationship who he was not allowed to see, but when he did he loved being around them.

“He spent several stays in prison which is something he wasn’t proud of,” she said.

“He knew that he needed help for his dependencies. He never seemed to get the help he needed.”

Miss Evans recorded a conclusion of suicide, with a medical cause of death of ligature suspension.

“He was a very kindly gentleman and it seems he left the note deliberately,” Miss Evans said. “The note clearly expresses his pain and the fact that the pain was unbearable. May I express my condolences [to his family].”