Eastwood man who tragically took his own life was found at home by police

An officer forced entry through Ian John Buckley's front door on Greenhills Road on Monday December 15 last year, said Amanda Bewley, assistant coroner of Nottinghamshire.

A neighbour had called 999 after noticing a delivery of coal had remained untouched outside Mr Buckley’s home for three weeks, and smoke was normally seen from his chimnney.

“He didn’t know Ian well because he kept himself to himself,” Ms Bewley said. “He called police to report his concerns.”

Mr Buckley was found in his living room, slumped in an armchair, and a handwritten note was found nearby which stated “in very clear terms that he had taken his own life.”

The offier was able to confirm Mr Buckley’s identity through his driving licence.

The inquest heard that Mr Buckley’s brother lives in the Philippines and they normally spoke by email on Sundays. He asked a friend to visit him on the Sunday and again on the Monday but he got no reply.

There was no sign of a disturbance, all windows were secure, and the keys were found in the front and back doors. The coroner said she was satisified there was no third-party involvement.

Although his note referred to “chronic pain,” Mr Buckley’s GP at Eastwood Primary Care Centre confirmed the 69-year-old had only been prescribed medication for hypertension and had no documented history of poor mental health.

His last face-to-face visit at the health centre was more than ten years ago and he was good at attending his annual reviews, the coroner said.

The coroner said it was not possible to say exactly when Mr Buckley died and it is usual for the date of death to be recorded on the day life is pronounced extinct.

Recorded a conclusion of suicide on Wednesday, the coroner expressed her sincere condolences to Mr Buckley's brother, his family and friends.

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