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News

Medway head teacher Gary Vyse took his own life

By: Nicola Jordan njordan@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 08:47, 19 June 2018

Updated: 08:57, 19 June 2018

A troubled high-profile head teacher committed suicide before an "imminent" meeting about an incident which he feared would cost him his job.

Gary Vyse, who was found hanged at his Strood home, had been suffering from depression and anxiety and was three times over the drink-drive limit.

Days before, the 37-year-old had sent a series of emotional texts to a woman who police referred to as his girlfriend, hinting that he was considering killing himself.

Head teacher Gary Vyse took his own life in February

In the run-up to his death, Mr Vyse had been under medication, was drinking heavily and was stressed by his role as the chief executive of The Williamson Trust, which oversees the running of five academies in Medway.

The father-of-two's body was found on the first floor of his home in Stangate Road on the night of February 12.

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Assistant corner Katrina Hepburn said at his inquest at Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone, on Monday that he died from suspension. She recorded a conclusion of suicide.

She said: "I am satisfied he intended to take his own life. This was not a cry for help."

Floral tributes left at Hundred of Hoo Academy following the death of Gary Vyse

Det Sgt Deborah Cummings, who attended the scene along with uniformed officers and paramedics, outlined the nature of the texts he had sent his girlfriend days before and on the evening he took his own life.

She spoke of his feelings of isolation, how people wanted him to fail, how he was burden to everyone and how every day was a battle. He also mentioned about his love for his girlfriend.

In the past he had told his GP that, because he had two children aged seven and eight whom he saw regularly, he would not consider self-harm or suicide.

He then told how at one stage he was drinking a bottle of wine a night and he was awaiting an imminent meeting with trust directors about an incident.

A note outside the Hundred of Hoo Academy after My Vyse's death

On the evening he died, he sent texts to his girlfriend who had gone to the cinema in the early evening, his last one saying "enjoy yourself".

When he did not respond to her replies she became concerned and went round to his home.

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The hearing heard how Mr Vyse had appeared in the national local press after he was convicted for drink driving in October 2016.

The schools run by The Williamson Trust include the Hundred of Hoo, Rochester Math School, Allhallows Primary, High Halstow Primary and Stoke Community School, James Primary, Grain.

After his death tributes came in from colleagues, pupils and members of the trust.

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