A Birmingham man left his ex-partner heartbroken after killing himself at a pal's house.
Mathew Jones, who was born in Birmingham and lived in Staffordshire, was discovered at a friend's property in Hanley last December.
The mother of his two young children, Melissa Buxton, said telling them he had died 'was the hardest thing she had ever had to do', reported StokeonTrentLive.
An inquest at North Staffordshire Coroner's Court heard their relationship had broken down six months before he died, aged just 32.
Speaking after the hearing, 26-year-old Ms Buxton, from Shelton , said: "We met through a friend at a house party ten years ago and we were friends for 12 months before getting in a relationship.
"I just liked everything about him. When I met him, he had his own place and was working at Burger King in Alton Towers. He was funny and he was fit, he was an attractive guy. When my mum first met him, she said he looked like a fireman.
"We were together for ten years and we had a son together called Jacob, six, and a daughter Alyssia, three.
"He was a brilliant dad. He was a stay at home dad and he'd play football with Jacob and play Xbox while I went to work. Jacob will have a lot of memories with his dad, but sadly, Alyssia will just have the stories.
"I hate that they will miss out on having their dad around, especially Alyssia as she won't be able to remember him."
Where to get help if you're feeling suicidal
Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org , write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.
Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
Other depression charities
Mind is a mental health charity that offers information, support and resources for those that are struggling. They also offer help for young people and those supporting someone in their life with mental health struggles. Call Mind info line on 0300 123 3393.
Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous mental health text support service. Texting the word 'SHOUT' to 85258 will start a conversation with a trained Shout volunteer, who will text you back and forth.
Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsagainstdepression.org
There are other depression charities and support you can access. If you are seriously concerned, please call 999.
After the couple separated, Ms Buxton said he still had full-time access to the children, but he started to tell friends he 'couldn't carry on and everyone would be better without him'.
She arranged to meet Mathew at a hospital so he could get some help, but she said he did not keep the arrangement.
On the day he died, he was due to collect some washing from her home.
Ms Buxton said: "He's always been depressed, but I never thought he wanted to take his own life. I noticed a change in him when we split up but I still never thought he would do that.
"He was supposed to be coming to pick some washing up because I'd gone to Southport for the day. I rang him at 4.30pm when I got back and there was no answer, so I rang his friend Lewis Tompkinson, who he was staying with, but again there was no answer.
"I then rang another friend who told me to sit down away from the kids. He told me Mathew was no longer with us.
"I screamed and rang my best friend saying 'he's dead'."
The inquest heard that Mathew was born in Birmingham, but he and his sister Sarah were adopted and moved to Stoke-on-Trent to live with their adoptive parents.
He had a history of depression and anxiety and had previously tried to take his own life and committed self-harm while he was in prison in 2011.
Birmingham Coroner's Court
Ms Buxton said: "He had posted a Facebook post earlier that afternoon when he died and I now realise that was his goodbye.
"He was always saying he couldn't carry on, but I don't think his friends ever took it seriously."
North Staffordshire deputy coroner Anthony Curzon recorded a conclusion of suicide.
He said: "He had a long history of anxiety and depression. He was staying with a friend in Hanley following the break-up of his relationship with the mother of his children. He maintained regular contact with them.
"There is clear evidence of suicidal intent."
If you are experiencing mental health problems, feeling suicidal, or are concerned about someone else, support is available. Speak with your GP, who can refer into appropriate local services, contact the Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline on 0808 800 2234 for out-of-hours support, or call the Samaritans on 116 123 for a listening ear 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
