A MAN is believed to have taken his own life on his anniversary following the breakdown of his relationship, an inquest heard.
Derek Dragten was found dead by police and mental health workers at his home on December 14, two days after writing what was thought to be a final letter to his ex-partner.
Winchester Coroner’s Court heard the 45-year-old, of Hurdle Way in Compton, near Winchester, had been receiving mental health support and was deemed to be a low risk to himself.
However, the inquest heard Mr Dragten had been continuing to contact his ex-partner after the breakup of their relationship in 2017, building up to an incident at her home involving a knife.
His ex-partner, who did not attend the inquest, said in a statement that in November last year Mr Dragten “forced his way” into her home in Sparsholt, where the two had lived together for a number of years, and refused to leave.
After police were called to the home, Mr Dragten pulled out a knife and threatened to kill himself, but officers managed to restrain him.
PC Dean Lucas said Mr Dragten was “sobbing into his hands” while he was trying to speak to him, but Mr Dragten “ignored my presence”.
PC Lucas managed to physically restrain Mr Dragten and, as he did not have the authority to detain him under the Mental Health Act, he was taken to hospital for support.
Following the incident, Mr Dragten continued to receive mental health treatment as a voluntary patient, before he sent the letter to his ex-parter, dated December 12, and transferred the contents of his bank account to her, which raised the alarm.
Pathologist Dr Balvinder Shoker told the inquest the cause of death was an overdose of his medication.
Senior coroner Grahame Short said he believed Mr Dragten took the intentional overdose on December 12, the date of his and his ex-partner’s anniversary, and recorded a conclusion of suicide.
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