A ‘committed’ father-of-four from Atherton was found dead by two friends after taking his own life, an inquest heard. Christopher James Ince died on February 19 - two days after messaging his girlfriend threatening to take his own life and live stream it, the Coroner’s Court in Bolton was told.
The 29-year-old sent the message on February 17 after trying to call her. She responded just under half-an-hour later but got no response.
Friends John Gallagher and Stephen Smith both went to his address after realising they had not heard from Mr Ince since he sent Stephen a message asking for help the night before, the court heard.
Mr Ince, of Market Street, was described as a “fabulous dad” and "generous to a fault" by step-mum Kelly Smith.
“He had a child at 19 and went on to have four children,” Ms Smith’s statement said. “The fifth child died at just a few weeks old. When the relationship [which the children's mother] came to an end, that is something he found very difficult to begin with. A few months later he was contacted by social services to take responsibility for them or they would be taken into care.
“He stepped up and he was a fabulous dad. He was so committed to looking after and providing for his children. We still cannot believe Chris did this, we never expected him to go through with it. He was the kind of person who would give someone his last penny.
“He was generous to a fault. He will be sorely missed by all his family.”
Ms Smith also mentioned how he had struggled with his mental health and had threatened to take his life before. His dad had offered to have him sectioned due to his mental health, but this was refused by Chris, the statement said.
A police investigation found no suspicious circumstances and no third party involvement in Chris’ death. The North West Ambulance Service gave the time of death as 8.04pm.
A toxicological analysis found evidence of cocaine, cannabis and alcohol in his system, but none at a level that could suggest his judgement was impaired, a report said. The pathologist gave the cause of death as hanging. The area coroner Peter Sigee concluded: “He died as a result of suicide.”
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