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Ramsgate dad took his own life in King George VI Memorial Park

A dad from Ramsgate took his own life in a play area after telling his sister he "can't carry on any more".

Adam Belsey, 38, was found hanged in King George VI Memorial Park.

Mr Belsey took his own life in King George VI Memorial Park, Ramsgate. Pic: Google Street View (21565990)
Mr Belsey took his own life in King George VI Memorial Park, Ramsgate. Pic: Google Street View (21565990)

His body was discovered at about 5am on June 4, by dog walkers.

Police, ambulance and fire crews were called to the park and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest at Canterbury Coroners' Court heard how Margate-born Mr Belsey had moved back to Kent from Lancashire two year ago, after splitting with the mother of his three-year-old son.

After initially staying with his parents, he moved into a private property in Cecilia Road in May.

About a month later, he visited his sister Amanda Baker at her home in Finsbury Road, Ramsgate. They stayed up chatting and drinking before Ms Baker went to bed, when Mr Belsey asked to stay and use her computer.

But in the early hours, Ms Baker went downstairs to find her brother gone, his phone still charging, and a suicide note on the screen.

It read: "I'm sorry that you had to find out this way. I've just got to the point where I can't carry on any more. I've tried so hard to find the person I was. I know this is the coward's way out.

"I love you and the girls so much.

"I just want it over. I think I did actually do some good in the end. So just remember that.

"I'm sorry, I just got to the end. I know I made a lot of mistakes - I did try to be a good person. All my love I have to give is the last thing I have."

Mr Belsey was living in Cecilia Road, Ramsgate. Pic: Google Street View (21566381)
Mr Belsey was living in Cecilia Road, Ramsgate. Pic: Google Street View (21566381)

Ms Baker, a care support worker and mum-of-three, told the court how her brother "didn't seem depressed" the night before he died.

"We had talked about quite a few things," she said. "We made plans to go to Comic-Con next year, and we made plans to meet in the pub the next day. We talked about going to Vegas one day."

She told how her brother, who had occasional shifts as a stock checker, had been struggling to find a steady job.

"He had quite a complicated break-up with the mother of his child," she continued. "When that broke down that was the last time he saw his son."

Ms Baker called the police at about 7.40am on June 4, when officers realised her description of Mr Belsey matched that of the person who had been found dead in King George VI Memorial Park.

Police searched Mr Belsey's flat. His mobile phone history showed he had tried reaching out to several friends shortly before taking his life, but had struggled to reach them.

He messaged one, writing 'you alive mate? I need a mate'. He then followed this up with a call, but wasn't able to get through.

To another, he wrote "I need a friend", followed by a message saying "no worries mate, another time".

On his tablet, police found videos dating back to last year, in which Mr Belsey expressed clear plans to end his life.

He said: "I want to put it out there that it's not anyone else - I've been thinking about this for a long, long time. I've got nothing to look forward to in life.

"I know I've got Amanda and other people around that care about me - I just don't have it in me to carry on".

At his home, officers found a number of letters showing Mr Belsey had been in debt and under financial pressure when he died. Texts to a friend showed he had been avoiding his landlady, to whom he owed rent.

Coroner James Dillon recorded a conclusion of suicide, offering his condolences to Mr Belsey's family, and adding: "There were a number of pressures upon him which many have led him to the ultimate decision that he took".

If you need help on an emotional issue you can call the Samaritans free, at any time, on 116 123.

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