A heartbreaking text sent by a student who took his own life after a night out has been shared for the first time.
James Charlton, 26, was found by a dog walker outside an address in London on January 26, 2022, after he fell off a balcony outside his flat, an inquest heard this week.
His death came two hours after the 26-year-old King's College student sent a message to a flatmate which said: "When you return I will be gone".
Another text sent by James sometime later read "I'm gone". CCTV footage showed that he fell from the balcony with no one else in the shot.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, James was pronounced dead at 7.02am the same morning. Toxicology reports found he didn't have any drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death.
An inquest into his death on Tuesday at London Inner South Coroner's Court heard he had been arguing with his flatmate following a night out in Soho, West London about him bringing a guest back to their home in Woolwich.
He was not known to local mental health services prior to his death, reports My London, with his parents describing his decision to take his own life as "impulsive".
A statement from Steve and Carol read by Coroner Mr Xavier Mooyaart to London Inner South Coroner's Court said: "He had so many friends and was held in very high regard by them and his work colleagues.
"James was a person of very high intellect and had huge emotional empathy for other people. He also possessed a great sense of social justice and cared deeply for others.
"He rarely took any time for himself and was constantly busy with work, refereeing and volunteering. He was a trusted confidant. Although there can be no doubt that James intended to take his own life, we believe this was an impulsive decision. A decision that has left his whole family bereft. James will be missed always."
They added that James had been upset in the month prior to his death, as he had contracted Covid and was unable to return to their family home in Middlesbrough for Christmas.
His mental health had also been affected when both his grandparents passed away during the pandemic, the inquest heard, with James left unable to attend their joint funeral.
His parents added: "We are not sure that James recovered completely from [Covid] before he resumed his heavy schedule of work and other commitments.
"We were very much looking forward to seeing James as planned in early February 2022. And we know he was looking forward to that, as he had told friends and colleagues about the trip the evening before."
James, who was born in Middlesbrough, was honoured for his outstanding voluntary work on behalf of his beloved Darlington FC in 2013 when the football club went into administration.
He was named Darlington's Young Citizen of the Year in recognition of his fundraising efforts, which included a round of bucket collections.
He was also a qualified referee, having started his training at 15, and officiated in youth leagues on Teesside as well as following his move to London.
Listing Charlton's death as suicide with a cause of death as 'Multiple Injuries' caused by the fall, coroner Mr Xavier Mooyaart said: "James was described to me as a much-loved member of his family and someone with great intellect and great empathy.
"He had been known to take a few impulsive decisions in the past. On this occasion, he went to Central London with his flatmate and whilst there became upset at the prospect that his flatmate intended to return home later with another person.
"When it was clear he was going to return with company James said he would be gone. He also sent a message that he intended to jump off the balcony. The evidence was that he did return home and CCTV showed he did deliberately fall from a balcony. It was deemed non-suspicious".
The coroner passed on his condolences to James' family and friends.
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
