Depressed father killed himself in garage

A POPULAR father-of-two killed himself in his garage after suffering for years from depression, an inquest has been told.

The body of former Newton Abbot Spurs tootball club captain and manager Chris Bassett, 45, was found at his house in Kingskerswell.

His concerned brother, Stephen, had rushed to the property in Primrose Way after Chris left a telephone voicemail message saying 'Goodbye'.

Torbay and South Devon coroner Ian Arrow was told Mr Bassett had suffered from intermittent bouts of depression for about 10 years before taking his own life on May 21.

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Stephen Bassett said the family had found it difficult to cope with his illness since a severe bout of depression four years ago.

Chris, who worked in sales and marketing, had previously talked about taking his own life and about two or three months before his death had phoned his brother to say he was on the edge of the cliff at Berry Head.

On that occasion he talked him back to safety.

"He said he couldn't see a future for himself," Stephen Bassett said.

"On the surface he was a successful person and I would talk to Chris about how he felt and try to help him along."

But at 11.30am on May 21 Stephen was told by his wife Pam that Chris had left a phone message saying goodbye.

He left work and drove to the house.

Having received no answer when he called his name in the house, Stephen went to the garage where he found Chris.

Chris was pronounced dead at the scene having suffered a fatal injury.

A post mortem examination found the cause of death was a self-inflicted neck injury.

Three handwritten notes were found in the house and a further one on the windscreen of his friend Gary's van indicating where his body could be found.

There were no suspicious circumstances in his death, the coroner said.

Mr Arrow said: "I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt Chris Bassett intended to injure himself.

"It is clear from the messages and notes he left that sadly I come to the conclusion this death was self-inflicted."

The inquest was attended by family and friends of Mr Bassett, including his wife Karen, and Mr Arrow said it was clear he was held in very high regard by those who knew him.

Mr Bassett's funeral at St Mary's Church in June was attended by about 500 people.