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Swanscombe Dad Aaron Baxter took his own life after relationship breakdown

A young father took his own life after splitting up with his girlfriend, an inquest has heard.

Aaron Baxter was found hanging by his younger brother at their home in Swanscombe the hearing at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone was told.

The 33-year-old, the oldest of six children, took his own life a day after the breakdown of his relationship with his partner.

The inquest was held at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone
The inquest was held at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone

The inquest heard the window fitter messaged his ex-girlfriend 19 times the day after their split on Friday, March 22,

The last message he sent her, just before 11pm, read: "How can I get someone better than you?

"I'm finishing myself tonight, just like you finished me."

Mr Baxter's former partner Dana didn't read the text until the next day and the inquest heard how she replied, telling him "not to be silly and think of his daughter".

His body was found by his brother at around 1pm on Sunday, March 24.

He rang the emergency services immediately before finding his mother.

Aaron Baxter went to Gravesend Grammar School. Picture: Google
Aaron Baxter went to Gravesend Grammar School. Picture: Google

His mother, Deborah Baxter, was the last person to see him alive, at around 11pm, when she said goodnight to him as he lay in bed watching a film.

In a police statement, Mrs Baxter described her son as a "pleasant child", who went to Gravesend Grammar School when he was younger.

She continued, adding that at around the age of 14 he got into the 'wrong crowd' and began to misbehave, often taking drugs and drinking.

Before his death Mr Baxter was drinking four cans of lager a day, but was described as "a happy drunk" by his mother.

The Swanscombe resident had previously tried to take his own life in his 20s, but was saved by his family.

Following the incident he was allegedly given sleeping pills, but offered no further treatment.

The ambulance service gave Mr Baxter's time of death at around 12.50am on Sunday, March 24.

Coroner Roger Hatch concluded he had died as a result of suicide.

If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact the Samaritans helpline on 116 123, 24 hours a day.

You can also find out more information for mental health services and Kent County Council's Release the Pressure campaign via the KCC website.

For more information on how we can report on inquests, click here.

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