A much-loved man took his own life, an inquest heard.
Craig Vernel, 38, was found unresponsive at his grandad’s home in the Higher Folds area of Leigh, on September 25 last year.
During an inquest into his death at Bolton Coroners' Court, his widow Emma said that after leaving school, Mr Vernel served in the Navy for five-and-a-half-years, before becoming a mechanic.
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They got married in 2017 and in 2021, he graduated from the University of Bolton with a first class honours degree in mechanical engineering and had enrolled onto a PGCE teaching course.
Mrs Vernel told the inquest he loved rugby union and played for Leigh RUFC. She described him as ‘crackers’ and ‘a bit of a joker’, but also as someone who was ‘very loved’.
A GP’s report revealed Mr Vernel was initially diagnosed with depression in 2017.
Mrs Vernel mentioned an incident in 2019 in which Mr Vernel had attempted to take his own life, before he agreed to get counselling.
The Saturday before Mr Vernel's death (on September 18), he went out with friends and didn’t get home until the ‘early hours’.
Mrs Vernel told the inquest this led to an argument.
After returning home from work on Wednesday September 23, Mrs Vernel discovered her partner had packed a bag and temporarily moved out.
Two days later, during a FaceTime call with their son, Mrs Vernel said Mr Vernel seemed ‘fine’, but that he had gone on to send a number of texts, which made it seem as if he thought she no longer loved him.
At around 2.30am on September 25, Mrs Vernel noticed her partner was online on his phone and she suspected he was drinking.
When he didn’t arrive for childcare arrangements later that morning, she contacted his family, which eventually led to his body being found.
“I’m devastated,” Mrs Vernel said.
“He was much loved and is very sadly missed.
“I did think we had a future together. The week before, we were planning for a family holiday and Christmas.”
Following a post mortem, pathologist Dr Naveen Sharma recorded asphyxia as the medical cause of death. A toxicology report revealed that Craig had recreational levels of alcohol and cocaine in his system, along with therapeutic levels of an antidepressant.
Detective inspector Nigel Rigby of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) told the inquest no suicide notes were discovered by Craig’s body. He also said that Craig’s phone was examined but that nothing untoward was found.
Police coroner’s officer Neil McCaffrey said that it was only when the phone was handed back to Mrs Vernel’s that a concerning search made by Craig came to light.
He said: “I’ve enquired but I can’t explain why the Google web search carried out on September 25 wasn’t picked up on the original extraction.”
Assistant coroner for Manchester West, Rachel Syed recorded a conclusion of suicide.
Following the hearing, Mrs Vernel told the Manchester Evening News: “He loved his children and was a wonderful dad.”
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