Man took his own life weeks after wedding remembered as 'kind and caring soul'

A family were devastated when a father-of-two took his own life weeks after getting married, even his psychiatrist was 'shocked' claiming there were no immediate 'concerns'. Edward Hacking was a plumber who had a history of severe anxiety and attempting to harm himself.

The Clitheroe based man, 43, also had two children from a previous relationship. According to LancsLive reports his mental state deteriorated in the months leading up to his wedding on October 24 last year, he was reportedly experiencing "severe stress" relating to the day.

Just four weeks earlier, at his farm near Skipton, Edward's family had found him stood on top of a Land Rover and threatening to kill himself. They took him to A&E at Airedale General Hospital, with his mum Gillian later saying she was "desperate for help", but he was discharged three hours later.

Edward and his family had hoped that his anxiety would calm down after the wedding but his new wife Liz noted that, even on honeymoon, he "took himself off for a couple of hours". On November 15 last year, Liz had spoken to Edward after finding out he had sent some messages to a friend and fallen out with them.

Edward then "took his wedding ring off" and said Liz would be "better off without him". Liz tried to ease Edward and left him to continue working in the shipping container which he was converting into a workshop.

Their friends later arrived at 6.30pm for dinner, Liz sent Edward a text telling him that dinner was ready, but the message was never read. Edward's friend Rob Lancaster then went to find him but discovered the container was locked from the inside.

Rob heard a sound which "wasn't right" and he raced back to the house to get help. Rob then returned to the container, with Edward's wife Liz and her daughter Evie, and they used an axe to smash the lock off the door.

Edward was tragically found inside unresponsive, despite CPR attempts he was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived.

Inquest

An inquest into Edward's death, which was held at Preston Coroners' Court yesterday (Monday March 9), heard from Louise Batchelor from the Home Treatment Team who had assessed Edward three days after his suicide attempt on September 27 and said she concluded that he "had capacity" and therefore did not require admission to hospital.

Edward's sister Susannah, who gave evidence to the inquest via video link from New York, asked: "How can you say someone has capacity less than three hours after someone has tried to [take their own life]?"

Assistant Coroner Sian Jones pointed out that it had been a mental health nurse based at Airedale General Hospital who had made that decision but Ms Batchelor said: "[During my assessment] he engaged very well.

"Evie [Edward's step-daughter] was present and he was very transparent in front of her; she was a positive presence. He had full capacity and he said he regretted his actions and had been impulsive. His fiancée and children were protective factors.

"[There weren't] grounds for admission. At the hospital he was keen to go home and he was no longer expressing suicidal thoughts."

Psychiatrist was 'shocked'

After Edward's visit to A&E in September last year, he contacted a private psychiatrist and obtained a referral from his GP at Clitheroe Health Centre. He thereafter saw Dr Amal Beaini, a consultant psychiatrist of more than 40 years, who agreed that Edward did not present as an immediate risk of suicide.

"I had no concerns for the immediate future and, furthermore, his insightfulness and acceptance of what I was proposing gave me a lot of confidence," Dr Beaini added.

"He had done a lot of research and it felt more like I was talking to a colleague than a patient. That is why I was so very shocked when I heard he had died."

Edward's sister Susannah asked Dr Beaini if he had been aware that her brother had lost 27kg in weight in the few months prior to his death.

"He was pleased with what he had achieved," Dr Beaini replied. "He said he had done it through weight loss injections so it was intentional."

GP records

The inquest also heard a statement from a GP at Clitheroe Health Centre who detailed some of Edward's recent medical history. Since 2019 there had been several consultations concerning Edward's anxiety and stress relating to relationship problems, a marital breakdown and concerns about finances.

Not long before his death, Edward had resigned from his job with an animal feed firm, but his dad Jeremy told the coroner his son had been offered another job with a rival company. Although Edward had experienced increasing stress and anxiety about his upcoming wedding he was "committed to his partner and was looking forward to the future", the coroner said.

Conclusion

Although Dr Beaini told the coroner he "doubted Edward's intent" in the actions he took on the day he died, and believed they were impulsive, Assistant Coroner Sian Jones said that "in that moment" he knew what the inevitable outcome would be and returned a conclusion of suicide.

"I do think that Edward's behaviour was impulsive," she explained. "If someone had interrupted him he may not have done it but in the circumstances I do find that at the time that he [took those actions] and locked the doors it was his intention, at that time, to take his own life.

"He was away from the main home, he had locked the unit from the inside and he was unlikely to be found for some time. It was very difficult for people to get in.

"I am satisfied that in placing himself in the situation he did, and taking the steps that he did, he did so with the intention of taking his own life."

Tributes

After Edward's death, Clitheroe Rugby Club described him as an enthusiastic player who "had no hesitation in helping people out if they were stuck".

The club posted online: "As you may have already heard, we share with heavy hearts the tragic news of Ed's passing at the age of just 43.

"Many at the club remember Ed on and off the pitch playing in his free spirited way; as either a back five forward or sometime employed usefully on the wing using his large frame and long stride to good effect - wreaking havoc with unsuspecting defences.

"His enthusiasm to get stuck in made him a popular team mate in the maroon & gold colours. Prior to playing at Clitheroe he had had a spell as a junior over at Burnley, then Calder Vale RFC.

"Off the pitch Ed was a friend to many and had no hesitation of helping people out if they were stuck. With no fanfare he would turn up to lend a helping hand. That was the character of man he was.

"He even built, unprompted, our first scoreboard at the club - which is still in use today."

One of Edward's friends also spoke of his generosity. "Ed was a kind and caring soul," she shared.

"He once helped my friend who he didn’t really know fix her car when she had a prang. He looked after her whilst an ambulance came and returned the car to her husband completely repaired two days later. People like Ed are rare in life. I feel privileged to have known him."