The tragic death of a Wigan man who struggled with alcohol after losing his job
A Wigan man found dead at home had previously threatened to end his life by taking an overdose of medication, an inquest heard.
John Mayor, from Ashton, was discovered unresponsive in bed on September 8, after his sister became concerned when she had not heard from him for two days.
Bolton Coroner’s Court heard the 49-year-old had type-two diabetes and a number of insulin pens were found next to his bed.
Det Insp Chris Preston, who led an investigation into his death, said some pens had expired and Mr Mayor had not been prescribed insulin since October 2024, suggesting he had been “stockpiling” them.
His cause of death was recorded as insulin toxicity, though a toxicologist explained standard tests could not be used to detect insulin levels.
The alcohol level in Mr Mayor’s blood was around double the drink-drive limit.
The inquest heard he had a history of alcohol abuse, with periods of sobriety before relapsing, and had issues with mental health.
Emergency services were called to the HMO where he lived on January 21 last year, amid concerns he was feeling suicidal, had taken a staggered overdose of gabapentin and wanted to take insulin to end his life.
He was taken to Wigan Infirmary’s A&E department and spent eight days in hospital, where he reported having suicidal thoughts for a number of weeks.
He was transferred to Atherleigh Park and reported improvements in his mental health and no suicidal intentions when he was discharged three weeks later.
Mr Mayor received support from drug and alcohol misuse service We Are With You after being discharged.
But the court heard he started drinking again around seven to eight weeks before he died, after losing his job.
He self-referred to We Are With You and saw a recovery worker on August 28, when he explained he had tried to cut down his alcohol use but it had not worked.
He was told about groups on offer, given drink diaries to monitor his consumption and further appointments were made, but he did not attend.
Coroner Stephen Teasdale recorded that he died by suicide.
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