A bright University of Manchester student was found dead at a city centre car park after he took his own life, an inquest heard.
Adam Dewey, 20, had left a heartbreaking note saying 'it was difficult for him to continue' and that it would be 'better if it all just stopped'.
He wrote that he would end his life 'early' so it 'would be before his sister's birthday', coroner Zak Golombeck told Manchester Coroner's Court on Thursday.
The note was not dated, but police believe it was written soon before the maths student died, on October 9, 2018.
There were also Google searches left on Adam's computer which suggested he had planned his death.
Coroner Zak Golombeck recorded a verdict of suicide.
The student's body was found by a member of public near the Charles Street car park.
Footage in the moments leading up this his death showed a body, later identified as Adam, 'falling from height' onto the Charles Street car park.
A post-mortem confirmed that Adam died of 'serious head injuries as a result of the fall'.
Police confirmed they did not believe to be any third party involvement. A toxicology report offered 'no compelling evidence that drink or drugs were implicated in his death'.
The inquest heard Adam 'did not access any of the student support services' that were available to him at the university, or contact his GP about his mental health problems.
His death came as a 'shock' to his tutors. He appeared 'confident' and 'comfortable with himself', Dr. Simon Merrywest, director for student experience told the court.
His family and the university released a joint statement following the inquest, to encourage anyone who is struggling with their mental health to 'consider seeking advice and support'.
Adam's father, Stephen Dewey, told the court that Adam, from Sheffield, was 'solitary' as a child 'in a positive way'.
"He enjoyed his own company. He kept himself to himself. He enjoyed playing on his computer.
"He was beginning to enjoy walking. He had one close friend in Sheffield who he met during the university holidays. He would hold the camera while his friend would make ridiculous YouTube videos", he told the court.
Adam disliked being dirty and it developed into an ‘obsessiveness’ about hygiene in the final four years of his life.
“He didn’t want us prying into his life. If there was something he wanted us to do he would tell us it”, Mr Dewey said.
There was one particular incident a few months before his death in which Adam made a comment to his father which stood out.
As he was being driven home for the summer break in 2018, he said ‘wouldn’t life be easier if I wasn’t around’, Mr Dewey told the court.
Coroner Golombeck asked if that came out of the blue, to which Mr Dewey replied: ‘It did. I reassured him that we enjoyed having him around.
"I didn’t follow that up as much as I should have done. He seemed to enjoy a normal vacation and it didn’t create cause for concern."
The family went on a trip to Edinburgh during the summer and he 'seemed as normal', Mr Dewey said.
Adam then returned to university for third year.
It was when his father was giving him a lift to the train station on September 18 for a careers event, that Adam appeared to be in the 'worst place mentally'.
"He apologised for putting the family through all this trouble. We were delighted to help him in any positive steps for a future career", his father said.
Adam's family and The University of Manchester released a joint statement through Dr. Simon Merrywest, director for student experience, following the inquest.
It said: "Adam was a much loved son, brother, grandson and member of the university community and his death came as a shock to all those who knew him.
"When he died, Adam had just started the final year of his mathematics degree and was starting to consider what career he might follow.
"He had already achieved very good marks and was enjoying his studies.
"Whilst his death has left a great sadness for all of those close to him, everyone is extremely proud of his achievements.
"One of his academic tutors remembers Adam as a very strong student who was always extremely confident in what he was doing.
"However, despite this and his excellent academic performance, today’s inquest heard that Adam did not feel able to reach out to anyone for support with his mental health at any time prior to his death.
"Whilst the reasons for this will always remain unclear, through this joint statement Adam’s family and the University have chosen to highlight Adam’s experience.
"We hope that in doing so it will encourage anyone studying at a university, whether in Manchester or beyond, and who is struggling with their mental health to consider seeking advice and support.
"That might be from their family, an academic tutor, a dedicated student support team or a friend."
The University of Manchester has a student support mini site that lists contact details of all their school support offices and within their residential life team at www.studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk.
Further advice and sources of mental health support are available on their Counselling Service site at www.counsellingservice.manchester.ac.uk.
