Wigan dad found hanged may not have meant to kill himself

Darren Warburton, 39, was discovered in woodland in Coal Pit Lane, Leigh, by a dog walker on September 22.

An inquest into his death concluded at Bolton Coroner’s Court on Monday, with coroner Alan Walsh unable to determine what Mr Warburton’s intentions were.

Described as a “great father”, Mr Warburton had struggled with mental health problems and turned to cocaine and drinking to cope.

Born in Billinge, the hearing heard how Mr Warburton had endured a number of break-ups with him taking the breakdown of his five-year relationship with Rebecca Warburton particularly badly.

The inquest heard that father-of-three Mr Warburton, who lived in Lowton, went to Ms Warburton’s mother’s wedding the day before his death and was said to have been in “good spirits”.

But after the wedding, Mr Warburton went out drinking in Leigh with his partner and got into a row over a friend of his.

After the trio had returned to Ms Warburton’s house, the row continued. The hearing heard that he then later left the house, saying he “wanted to be with his uncle “ and “not wanting to be here.”

The inquest then heard how, while walking to the woods, he had been on the phone to Ms Warburton saying he was going to harm himself. He was later found by a dog walker at around 10.30am on September 22 near to Ms Warburton’s house in Boston Grove, Leigh.

Mr Warburton’s son Danny told the inquest that he wasn’t sure his dad had intended to kill himself.

He said “I think it was a cry for help and that he said what he did to shock her. “

Dr Naveen Sharma, the pathologist who carried out the post-mortem examination on Mr Warburton’s body, told the hearing that the medical cause of his death was hanging.

A toxicology report read out during the inquest said that he had alcohol and cocaine in his system at the time of his death.

The inquest also read out a statement from his GP Dr Josephine Greene who said he had a history of depression and taken medication for it.

His son Danny sad: “I was aware he may well have had mental health problems and that he would ask for some help but then not go back. )He was a great father who would look after me and care for me and brought me up with the help of my nan and granddad.”

Coroner Alan Walsh said he was not satisfied Mr Warburton’s death was suicide.

He said: “He had alcohol and cocaine in his system at the time and he told Ms Warburton what he was going to do, which as has been said could be intended to shock.

“But nor am I satisfied that this was misadventure as there was an element of planning here.”

Mr Walsh returned a narrative conclusion saying that Mr Warburton died as a consequence of self-suspension by a ligature, but that his intentions at the time are unclear.”

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