A MAN who took his own life in October joked to his wife shortly before he disappeared that "when he was gone she would be a rich lady", an inquest has heard.

Mark McCarron, 45, was reported missing on October 10, and had been suffering from moderate depression in the months prior to his disappearance.

He was later found on Sunday, October 30, by a dog walker at Mouldon Hill lake.

Salisbury Coroner's Court heard yesterday that Mr McCarron's wife had come home from work during the afternoon, and found a couple of notes, with one telling her not to call the police.

Toxicologists found antidepressant and painkiller in his system.

Mr McCarron had previous episodes with depression, and had been found by police in July unconscious in a park after taking a number of prescription drugs.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health's Dr Adrian Vasko, said that Mr McCarron's depression was triggered by a foot injury he suffered in March, and he was worried about losing his job.

"He said he did not have any suicidal thoughts, and said he had no intention to self-harm."

Mr McCarron was diagnosed with mild depression, and the risk of suicide was deemed as moderate.

But Mr McCarron's mental state deteriorated throughout 2016, after a brief relationship with a close friend ended, and his struggle to accept that his feelings towards her were not reciprocated.

He was also taken to court by the Inland Revenue, leaving the family in debt.

His wife, Rebecca McCarron, said that he had told her "she would be better off without him".

She soon found out about the affair, and the couple attended a number of counselling sessions, but he became increasingly depressed.

The court heard how Mr McCarron had also left home in the days after his previous suicide attempt, but was found at the railway station.

PC Benjamin Moore said that the former Tarmac worker’s body was found in dense undergrowth after his final disappearance, and his clothing matched the description of police appeals.

Recording a narrative conclusion, coroner David Ridley said: "There was excessive use of the drugs prior to his death. 

"We will never know exactly when he died."

Mr Ridley added that because of the significant quantity of medication, Mr McCarron, had intended to take his own life and ruled the death was suicide.

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