A 'caring and loving' football agent took his own life after splitting up with his girlfriend, an inquest heard. Dominic Yarwood was found hanged in woodland near to the Worsley Park Marriott Hotel golf course in Salford on December 16 of last year.
An inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court heard that the 32-year-old's relationship with his partner had broken down in the days prior to his death. Dominic, who lived in Worsley but was originally from London, started seeing the young woman in August of last year.
However, their relationship began to deteriorate following a 'misunderstanding' at a social event on December 12. Giving evidence, the woman said she was leaving the event to meet friends when Dominic saw a man she knew leaving at the same time as her.
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She said he initially believed they were leaving together, but she reassured him that they were not. The woman said she 'assumed everything was fine' until the following evening when she received a phone call from a 'distressed' Dominic.
During their conversation, she said he raised the misunderstanding again and told her he was considering taking a trip to Dubai. The woman told the inquest she was 'angry' that he had brought it up and told him she 'was not in the right head space' to talk as she was at a friend's apartment.
"He was very upset," she added. "I told him that I will give him a bit of time."
The next day, Dominic phoned his dad Raymond and asked him to travel up from London to stay with him. "He seemed very upset and seemed to be struggling," Mr Yarwood told the inquest.
Mr Yarwood arrived at his son's home later that evening and said that although Dominic seemed upset, he did not say why. The following day, they visited the Trafford Centre together before stopping at a Co-op store on the way home.
Mr Yarwood said he went into the shop and left Dominic in the car. Upon returning to the vehicle, his son was nowhere to be seen. Mr Yarwood told the hearing he then received a text message from his son in which he said he was at a nearby doctor's surgery.
Dr Laura Whitelaw, a GP at Ellenbrook Medical Centre, said Dominic came into the surgery 'in tears' and requested to see a doctor about his mental health. She agreed to see him and said he revealed that he had 'split up' with his girlfriend a few days earlier and had felt 'flat and empty' ever since.
Dr Whitelaw added that Dominic had asked for medication to alleviate the feelings, but she told him she was unable to prescribe any as his symptoms were not 'long-term'. Although Dominic admitted having thoughts to end his life, he denied any intent or plans to do so, she told the inquest. A follow-up appointment was made for two weeks later.
After leaving the surgery, Mr Yarwood said his son told him he 'did not feel like doctors were listening to him'. He told the inquest he and his son spent the evening watching football together before heading to bed at about midnight.
The following afternoon, Dominic and his girlfriend met at a coffee shop in Manchester city centre to talk 'face to face', the hearing was told. During the meeting, the woman said she told Dominic she would not be joining him for a meal he had booked that evening and informed him that she planned to collect her belongings from his home later that week.
"I made it clear that was not me cutting him off," she added. "That was me saying I don't think it's right to have all my things in your house."
After leaving the coffee shop, the woman said Dominic drove her to a hair appointment but described the car journey as 'horrible'. "Not a lot was said," she told the inquest. "I was crying and he was crying.
"When I went to get out of the car, I asked him if I could see him on the Friday. He didn't answer me.
"He was crying so I went to hold him. He asked me to get off him and get out of the car, which I did."
When he returned home that same afternoon, Mr Yarwood said his son was 'upset'. "He went upstairs and changed and came down and said he was going for a walk," he explained. "I offered to go with him but he said he just wanted some fresh air."
The hearing was told that Dominic then returned home before heading out again at about 7pm. Mr Yarwood said that before leaving, his son shouted upstairs to say he was 'popping out again for some fresh air'.
About 25 minutes later, Mr Yarwood received an email titled 'goodbye', which Dominic had sent to family and friends. Mr Yarwood and Dominic's girlfriend phoned the police and a huge search operation was launched.
Dominic's body was found in woodland at the Worsley Park Marriott Hotel golf course the next morning. Pathologist Dr Neil Papworth said a post-mortem examination had given his cause of death as 'hanging'.
Police coroner's officer Stefan Wilson told the inquest that analysis of Dominic's phone showed he had made a number of internet searches about ending his own life in the days before his death.
Recording a conclusion of 'suicide', coroner Stephen Teasdale said he believed Dominic intended to end his own life. The coroner said it was clear he had been experiencing low mood following the 'breakdown' in his relationship.
"Relationships do break down so I make no judgement or criticism in relation to that," Mr Teasdale added. "He was perhaps particularly vulnerable because he seemed to feel his emotions more than others and felt them intensely. That may ultimately have caused him a particular unhappiness."
Speaking after the inquest, Dominic's mother Pam paid tribute to her 'caring and loving' son. "Our son was an exceptional young man and we are extremely proud of him," she said.
"He was so loved. He was just so full of love and so good at his job. He was a proper football anorak. He went to war for his players and really cared for them."
Following Dominic's tragic death, dozens of heartfelt tributes flooded in for the football agent, who worked for the Elite Management Agency. In a tweet, the agency said: "Dom, You’ll never know how much you’re going to be missed.
"A great friend, agent, and team member. You’ve helped Elite get to where it is today and it will never be the same without you around. Sending all our love and support to your family and friends. #RIP #Dom."
Several footballers, including Manchester City players, also posted tributes for Dominic. Defender Kyle Walker shared a picture on Instagram and described him as his 'rock'. He said: "Can't believe I'm writing this but you will always be remembered in my heart and so many others Dom.
"U was my rock when times were hard and I will never forget you. God has gained another angel and a very special one in you my friend."
