BUILDER Christopher Dawson hung himself while suffering from depression, an inquest heard.The 46-year-old from Sleaford Close, Ipswich had a history of mental illness and a few days before his death had retreated to his caravan in Orwell Meadows Caravan Park at Nacton.

By Jessica Nicholls

BUILDER Christopher Dawson hung himself while suffering from depression, an inquest heard.

The 46-year-old from Sleaford Close, Ipswich had a history of mental illness and a few days before his death had retreated to his caravan in Orwell Meadows Caravan Park at Nacton.

Greater Suffolk Coroner Dr Peter Dean heard how Mr Dawson had told his wife Carol that he needed a rest.

In a statement read out at the inquest, held in County Hall, Mrs Dawson said she had no idea that her husband of 18 years was contemplating taking his own life.

She said: "He was taking medication at the time of his death and had become more distressed in the last 12 months."

In the statement she said that on January 11, he was at the caravan.

Mrs Dawson said: "He rang me and said that he needed a rest.

"He said he had taken tablets but not enough to harm himself. He rang back at 9pm to tell me that he was OK."

The following day Mrs Dawson expected her husband to come home but when he had not arrived by teatime, she got worried and called her brother-in-law Brian Dawson.

Mr Dawson described in a statement how he had gone to the caravan park, because Carol Dawson could not drive, to check that his brother was alright.

He said that when he got there he saw Christopher's car outside and the doors to the caravan were locked.

After getting a key from the clubhouse he walked into the caravan and found his brother dead.

Christopher had made a ligature and hung himself from the bedroom door.

On recording a verdict that Mr Dawson took his own life, Dr Dean said that psychiatrist reports stated he had thought about hanging himself on previous occasions.

After the inquest Mr Dawson's youngest brother Jonathan Dawson said: "Although the circumstances of his death were suicide we consider that he made a great success of his life through his building work.

"There are many homes around the town that he built and renovated and that is a proud legacy left behind.

"He did suffer from depression but was very much loved by Carol his wife and the rest of the family.

"We do miss him terribly."