A CHESTER pensioner who was worried about his deteriorating health stabbed himself through the heart in a seafront car park, an inquest heard.
The body of 76-year-old retired car salesman Gordon Ellery, of Great Boughton, was found in his car near the Nova Centre, Prestatyn, by a couple who pulled up alongside to have a picnic.
Police found a suicide note with him.
John Gittins, the coroner for North Wales East and Central, said the note, addressed to Mr Ellery’s wife June, made it clear he intended to kill himself as he did not want to be a burden on anyone.
At the inquest in Prestatyn he recorded a verdict of suicide on the pensioner, of Hunters Close, who died on July 21 last year.
Mr Ellery’s daughter Deena Dutton, of Melrose Avenue, Vicars Cross, said that as a young man he had suffered from polio which left him with a weakened left arm, but he coped with the problem.
In 2004 he had a heart attack and later had prostate cancer and though he suffered from depression at times was reluctant to take medication.
Mrs Dutton told the hearing, however, that his physical condition deteriorated due to the polio and, having been so active, he found it very frustrating.
“He was a very proud man and didn’t like depending on others,” she said.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Ellery, who was born and brought up in India, cut his wrists before stabbing himself once through the heart.
“It was more than a simple cry for help. He clearly intended to bring his life to an end,” said the coroner.