Rejection was last straw (From Gazette Series)

Rejection was last straw

A DURSLEY man who never got over the death of his brother killed himself with a fatal concoction of alcohol and anti-depressants, a coroner heard this week.

Martin Sandell, aged 21, was found dead on February 3 this year at the flat he shared with another brother in School Road, Highfields.

A note making clear his intention to commit suicide was found at the house.

Pathologist Dr John McCarthy found that Mr Sandell had a blood alcohol reading of 233mg per 100ml of blood - almost three times the driving limit - which, mixed with the anti-depressants, would cause a fatal toxicity in the blood.

Mr Sandell's mother Carol Cook told the court on Wednesday that her son had left school at 15 and had never worked, although he had looked for employment.

"But he did odd jobs like building and painting stuff," Mrs Cook said.

Ten years ago, Martin lost a brother, who was 18 months older, after he fell out of tree he was climbing in the Yellow Hundreds, she said.

Martin was then diagnosed with separation anxiety disorder.

Mrs Cook added that Martin had been due to appear in court on a charge of assault on the day after his death and was upset by this prospect.

Leyton Sandell, the brother with whom he shared the flat, spoke to Martin on the evening before his death and found that he had been drinking.

"It seemed as if he was spinning out," Mr Sandell told the coroner.

Returning to the flat he found that the premises were "trashed" and the door was off his hinges. He also found a note.

"It was frank and to the point," Mr Sandell said. "I saw pills and sick on the floor, which I at first thought was a good sign. I saw him on the bed - he looked to be asleep."

An ambulance crew confirmed that he was dead, although a friend of 10 years, Martin Jagger had tried to resuscitate him.

Gloucester Coroner Alan Crickmore recorded a verdict of suicide.

"Martin was badly affected by the accidental death of his brother 10 years or so prior to his own death," Mr Crickmore said.

"He was due to appear in court on February 3 to answer a charge of assault - on the evening of his death he saw the complainant in a pub and offered his hand in friendship - this was rejected.

"The whole situation became too much for Martin. I am satisfied that his actions were intended to bring about his death."