West Briton (Truro and Mid Cornwall)
Coroner raises concerns after man used DIY guide to take his own life
ACORNWALL coroner has called for so-called DIY suicide websites to be shut down.
Assistant coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Emma Hillson, has written to the National Crime Agency and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology asking for more to be done to close down websites that advertise ways for people to kill themselves.
Her prevention of future deaths report, dated January 31, comes on the back of a recent inquest into the death of Guy Scotchford, who took his own life on July 1 last year after downloading a 60-page, step-by-step
DIY guide on how to end his life.
The inquest into his death heard how Mr Scotchford, who lived in Truro and Penzance during his life, had a long history of mental health problems with chronic suicidal ideation and he believed he was suffering from a condition called mast cell activation syndrome.
It was also heard that in the weeks leading to his death that he had revealed to his sister and GP how he had researched ways to commit suicide and had a plan in place but did not intend to act on it at that stage.
In July last year Mr Scotchford called his sister to say he loved her but when she tried to call him back later she got no response.
She called the police to act on her concerns for his welfare, and when officers from Devon and Cornwall Police attended his property they found him dead.
A search of his property also yielded the DIY suicide guide Mr Scotchford had bought from the internet back in April 2022.
In her report, Ms Hillson warned that the website in question was still active and information could still be downloaded. She said the website (which is not named) gives a direct link to a company which provides items that can be bought in the UK and home delivered.
Ms Hillson wrote: “It was clear from the evidence of the investigating officer that the website is still active and from this website a document can be downloaded. The police investigation determined that this named company did receive and supply that order.
“The downloaded document provides step by step instruction on how to end your life with specific advice and direction on the use of certain equipment.
“The investigating officer made a recent internet search of this website which states that it provides practical DIY information to enable readers to take control over their own life and death. This website is available to anyone to access online.”
She added: “In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your organisations (National Crime Agency and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) have the power to take such action.”