Man committed suicide on coast path near Sidmouth after financial worries, inquest hears

A man who had been staying in a caravan park in Seaton took his own life on the coast path in Sidmouth after struggling with financial worries, an inquest heard this week.

David Mumford, aged 65, had been staying at the Axe Vale Caravan Park in Seaton and was found on the South West Coast Path at Salcombe Hill, near Sidmouth, on 9 September 2020.

An inquest held on Wednesday 8 December at Exeter Coroner's Court heard that his body had been found by a dog walker two metres from the cliff edge among some long grass.

A post mortem examination confirmed the cause of death was the toxic effects of inhaled gas.

Police were able to identify him from his belongings but there was no suicide note. Officers said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Having served in the Army as a young man, Mr Mumford had been living in Weymouth and working as a cleaner at a library before his death.

Following the breakdown of his relationship, he had been making arrangements to move into a shared house in the area but was known to have some financial worries after taking early retirement and investing a large lump sum into a company which he was battling to get back.

The matter was due to go to court in March 2020 but had been delayed by the pandemic.

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