A dad who returned home from dropping his children off at school and went upstairs for a “lie down” was found dead a short time later, an inquest heard.
Karl Bramwell, 41, was found in his bedroom at home on Juniper Grove in Murdishaw, Runcorn, by his wife Antonia Regan at about 11am on Monday, December 20 last year. At an inquest at Warrington Coroner's Court on Monday, Claire Welch, acting senior coroner for Cheshire, read statements including from Ms Regan, who said Karl had been “quite anxious” in the time leading up to his death but had told her “nothing was wrong” and he “seemed OK”.
Discussing the morning of December 20, Ms Regan's statement said: “He took the children to school as normal and came home. We had a few brews, we were getting the house ready for Christmas.
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“He said he was going for a quick lie down.” She found him about 40 minutes later and called 999.
A statement from temporary Inspector Rob McLoughlin said he was called to Juniper Grove at 12.26pm and he attended with Cheshire Police colleagues. Advanced paramedic Matthew Hall and other ambulance crew had arrived and were trying to resuscitate the casualty but were unable to, and Karl was pronounced dead at 12.45pm.
Insp McLoughlin learned Karl had visited his doctor in recent weeks for “low mood” prior to being found dead, although no note or similar message describing an intent to take his own life was found at the scene.
Following their enquiries, police concluded there were no “suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement”.
Toxicology tests found “nothing of any pathological significance” in Karl’s system.
A statement from Dr Gary O’Hare, a general practitioner at Murdishaw Health Centre, reported that Karl had been seen at the surgery on November 29 after “complaining of low mood and anxiety for several months”, and was “tearful” and struggling with sleep.
Although Karl had expressed thoughts of “not wanting to go on with life”, he said he had no such plans.
Karl was prescribed medication, which he changed at an appointment on December 14, and was signposted to primary care services.
Dr O’Hare said Karl agreed to call again in the New Year.
Ms Welch concluded on the balance of probabilities that Karl took his own life, recording a conclusion of suicide.
During her summary, she said: “I’ve asked myself whether he did it as a cry for help as opposed to end his life.
“It’s a difficult question to answer but because of the absence of suicide notes, but balancing everything together and the recent visits to his GP, and he told Antonia he was going for a lie down, suggests to me he suggested to her he wasn’t expecting her to come in and disturb him, so I think in those circumstances and on the balance of probabilities he did intend to end his life.
“I have to return a suicide conclusion.”
Addressing the family, she added: “Can I take this opportunity to repeat what I said at the outset.
“I’m so sorry that you’ve lost Karl in these circumstances and to have lost him in a situation where this was such a shock, and so expect it makes it so much harder for you all to come to terms with.
“I genuinely offer you my thoughts and wish all of you well for the future.”
Karl Bramwell was born in Liverpool in 1980, and died at home on Juniper Grove in Runcorn on December 20.
A range of support services is available for readers affected by issues related to this article.
Samaritans offers a free 24-seven helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find the nearest centre.
For anxiety, the No Panic helpline can be called on 08449 674 848.
CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably, has a helpline number, 0800 585 858, and an online chat facility at www.thecalmzone.net.
Halton residents can access signposting to various services via Halton Borough Council at halton.gov.uk, including a short question-led menu to hone in the on the relevant issue and appropriate point of contact.
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