A MAN found in dead Quick Wood, Cornwood, had intended to take his own life, a coroner’s court has heard.

At an inquest in Plymouth on Friday, November 27, senior coroner Ian Arrow considered the evidence from experts about the circumstances surrounding the death of Andrew Price, known as Andy, who died on August 11 this year.

Mr Price, of Woodlands, Ivybridge, was found dead by police in Quick Wood, Cornwood, after an extensive search, on Tuesday, August 11, just before 7pm. His blue Ford Focus was found nearby, along the road from Tin Park Riding Stables.

Mr Price, 56, was reported missing by his wife Mandy, who last spoke to her husband on the Sunday, August 9, before heading to Cornwall where their daughter was camping.

Both Mrs Price and her daughter received a text message from Mr Price on Monday, August 10, which read simply ‘I’m so, so sorry’. When Mrs Price was unable to contact her husband by phone, she returned to the family home, where she found her husband’s wallet, but there was no sign of him or his car.

Speaking to his mother, she learnt that Mr Price had turned up unannounced at her house and when he left, had kissed his mother goodbye and waved as he drove away.

Speaking to his boss, she found out that her husband had been feeling unwell and had left work at around 11am. Having not heard from him all day, Mrs Price called the police at 10.20pm that evening to report him missing.

Mr Price had started a job as a contract manager, which had added to his stress and knocked his confidence.

DCI Turner gave evidence that Mr Price had been suffering from depression since 2011 and had a bad back and considered himself to be drinking too much. He was prescribed antidepressants by his GP.

The post-mortem report noted that Mr Price had ‘social levels’ of alcohol in his system, namely 27mg per 100ml of blood, well below the legal drink-drive limit of 80mg.

DCI Turner concluded that Mr Price was struggling with depression; anxiety and bad back pain and was found in an area where the family had often taken walks. There was no sign of external injuries and his death was not suspicious and had not involved a third party.

Giving his verdict, Mr Arrow said that the cause of death was hanging and that Mr Price had intended to take his own life.

Mr Price was born in Stafford in June 1959 and had met his wife when he was aged 21 and she was 18. They grew up in the same village and Mr Price had joined the Royal Navy and was posted to the Falklands. When he returned, they were married in April 1983.