Pain led to suicide

A MAYFIELD man who suffered from chronic back pain killed himself with a shotgun.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jan 2003, 14:24 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:41 BST

Mark Napier, 41, of Berkley Road, was found dead at his home by a neighbour on June 27 last year. There was a single shotgun wound to his heart.

An inquest at Eastbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday heard how Mr Napier, a divorced self-employed cartoonist, had endured excruciating back pain for 20 years as a result of a nerve condition, similar to sciatica, and suffered depression as a result.

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On one occasion his back became so rigid he had to be rescued and carried from his home by the Fire Brigade.

Neighbour Ann Warwick discovered his body after noticing a bunch of keys left hanging in his front door lock. When there was no answer she let herself in and found him dead on a bedroom floor with the shotgun and an open Bible.

Coroner Alan Craze returned a verdict of suicide.