The family of a "sociable, caring, and generous" dad of three who was found to have taken his own life have paid tribute to him following the conclusion of his inquest.
Martin Christy, 46, was found hanged at Reddish Vale Country Park on April 1 of this year. At South Manchester Coroners Court this morning, Coroner Andrew Bridgman concluded that Martin's death was a suicide, triggered by 'significant factors' including his father's recent death and his struggles with work and relationships.
His estranged wife Kim Christy, who was married to Martin for 20 years, told the Manchester Evening News that Martin was 'a great partner and husband,' who his kids were 'proud' of.
"We were married 20 years, we met at Stockport College," she said. "He loved to play five-a-side and he loved music. He was a great family man, he enjoyed socialising with friends and family. Everywhere he went, everybody loved him.
"He was very generous. He had a big heart. He has three amazing children who are incredibly proud of who he was."
Kim told the M.E.N how the couple had lived in Norfolk together until 2009, when the recession left them without a house. The pair moved back to Manchester, where Martin started to drink heavily. Five years later, their relationship broke down due to Martin's alcohol dependency, but Kim said that they still loved each other.
"His funeral was phenomenally big, full of people who loved him," she said. "He was a great, sociable, caring, generous guy. He was a brilliant father to his three children. Everyone used to say he was a big kid inside. All the kids loved him. He was a great partner and husband."
The court heard how Martin, who lived in Stockport, had experienced 'significant' difficulties over the last year, following his father's death and mother's diagnosis with dementia, leaving him her primary carer. He had also been arrested for drink driving in January of the same year, and had his licence confiscated - something that made it difficult for him to carry out his occupation as a plasterer. Upon his death, a letter making reference to the recent court case was found in his pocket.
Representing Martin's GP surgery, the Reddish Vale Family Practice, Dr Monica Joye said he had presented to them on March 18 'struggling with his mood'. He told his GP that he had not had suicidal thoughts, but asked 'what is the point'.
The inquest heard how Martin had presented to A&E feeling suicidal on two occasions in the months leading up to his death. On February 18, Martin called his partner Christina and told her he was on a bridge and wanted to end his life. Police found him next to a railway bridge on the phone to his brother, and took him to hospital. Following this incident, Dr Joye said a letter should have been sent to the GP practice regarding his mental health review, but this letter was never received.
On March 18, the second occasion, he had taken an overdose following an argument with his partner. He told mental health services at Stepping Hill hospital the incident was 'impulsive', and at a later appointment with substance misuse services, said he was not suffering from suicidal thoughts.
Hayley Flynn, from the substance misuse service, who met with Martin the day before his death, said he told her he was drinking around 20 units of vodka per day - equivalent to half a bottle, starting drinking at 8am and continuing until he went to bed. She said he presented as keen to make changes, and he told her he was 'happy' to be getting help.
Martin was also referred to Healthy Minds, who provide talking therapies for people suffering from mental health problems. Donna Stanton, team manager, said Martin's referral was put on the system to go through triage, and a letter was sent to his home. However, after receiving no response from Martin, he was discharged from the service.
Detective inspector Ian Wrench, of Greater Manchester Police, told the court that there was no evidence of any third party involvement in Martin's death.
Coroner Bridgman said in his conclusion that the evidence showed that on 'this occasion', Martin had travelled to Reddish Vale Country Park with the 'intention of ending his own life'. He ruled the death a suicide, with hanging as the medical cause of death.
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