Man found hanged had lost two jobs and faced mounting debts

a MAN who lost two jobs in the economic downturn and faced growing debts was found hanged in the Peak District, an inquest heard.

Father-of-two Jason Mead went missing from his Sheffield home in August last year and a huge search was launched by police to try to trace him.

His Ford Puma car was found the day after he disappeared, in a lay-by at Cutthroat Bridge, on the A57 near Ladybower Reservoir.

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That discovery was made by his wife Karen and his parents after they began their own search because they were concerned for his safety.

But it was not until September 24 that his body was discovered, hanging from a tree in Ashopton Woods about two miles away, the Chesterfield hearing was told.

Mr Mead of Wortley Road, High Green, was described by relatives after an inquest into his death as “a very loving, caring person who just wanted a better life for his family”.

They said he had lost two jobs because of the economic recession and, feeling he had let his family down, had “a breakdown due to lack of money and an increase in debt”.

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His persistence led to his eventually landing a job as head of design for an interior design firm.

But his family said they believed he felt it came too late, and “the pressures, worry and debt he had to cope with were just too much for him to bear”.

It is believed he was hanged from a tow-rope he had bought at a filling station in Tinsley, Sheffield. The purchase had been recorded on security camera film.

The inquest heard his decomposed body had to be identified from dental records.

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Mr Mead, who worked for a company in Macclesfield, had last been seen by his wife on the evening of July 31, said Det Sgt Michael Lewis, of South Yorkshire Police.

He sent her a text message on August 1 but the message did not indicate any intention to harm himself.

“A suicide note was not found. He hasn’t left anything to explain why he has done this,” said Det Sgt Lewis, who added that there were no suspicious circumstances over the death.

A post-mortem examination by pathologist Dr Andrew Hitchcock concluded death had resulted from hanging.

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Deputy North Derbyshire Coroner Nigel Anderson said: “We are no closer to knowing why he did this. It’s as big a mystery now as it was then.” He recorded an open verdict and told Mr Mead’s family: “I am sure you would have preferred it if police had found something that gave a clue as to why he did this.”