A man posted on Facebook his plans to go on his “final journey” before taking his own life in Surbiton’s Victoria Park.
- From September 2014: Body found in Surbiton park 'believed to be missing Malcolm McKinlay'
- Friend pays tribute to Malcom McKinlay believed by police to be man found dead in Surbiton park
Malcolm McKinlay, 61, of St Andrew’s Square, Surbiton was found dead by a dog walker in Victoria Park on September 26, 2014 having suffocated himself while high on drugs the day before.
In the months before his death he had ended a relationship with a married man and been made “unexpectedly redundant” from his job with Air New Zealand – an inquest at West London Coroner’s Court heard on December 22, 2015.
Coroner Jason Pegg, reading from a statement Mr McKinlay’s friend Janette O’Bell gave to police, said: “Malcolm was very emotional and in complete depression, he was crying down the phone.”
Police were first alerted to Mr McKinlay missing when a friend on Facebook saw him post his plans to begin his “final journey”.
When they arrived at his home they found two notes from Mr McKinlay which said: “Life has been difficult, and now I have to go on my final journey.
“I have hit rock bottom, I just can’t go on anymore. I don’t want to be a burden or a liability, I’m going peacefully.”
The court heard how Mr McKinlay reacted badly to the breakup of his affair and redundancy.
The toxicology report revealed that Mr McKinlay was heavily intoxicated and had taken numerous hard drugs which “all played a part in Malcolm’s suicide”.
Mr Pegg added: “It’s apparent that Malcolm planned what he subsequently did, he posted on Facebook what he intended to do and notes left at his home address make the same reference.”
The coroner concluded Mr McKinlay died by asphyxiation.
The Mind charity promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Its helpline number is 03001 233 393.
To get in touch with the Samaritans in Kingston day or night call 116 123 or text 07725 909 090 or email jo@samaritans.org.
Samaritans lend a confidential ear to those in distress.
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