Inquest: Lymington pensioner John Keen electrocuted himself in shed

A LYMINGTON pensioner died by suicide from electrocution in his shed, an inquest found.

John Keen (85) was found by his wife of 65 years, Vera, in the outbuilding at his home in Lentune Way on 22nd April.

She said in a statement to Winchester Coroners' Court that her husband had become “anxious” about his health.

She said: “John was a gentle soul. He didn’t like getting old and worried about his health problems getting worse.”

Mrs Keen revealed that her husband’s brother had also electrocuted himself in a garage, after being diagnosed with cancer.

She said she had gone to check on her husband after he did not answer her when she asked if he wanted a coffee.

She found him sitting in a chair and said: “I thought he was asleep.”

But after getting no response she called to her neighbour Roy Bower for help at around 2pm.

In a statement Mr Bower said Mr Keen was “cold” to the touch and had no pulse but he administered CPR.

An ambulance crew arrived 10 minutes later and certified that Mr Keen, who used to run his own body shop company, was already dead.

A note found in the shed indicated he was concerned about his health problems.

Senior coroner Christopher Wilkinson read out statements from Mr Keen’s GP, Dr Gareth Morris, who said his patient had become increasingly concerned about his wellbeing after suffering a bout of severe pancreatitis seven years earlier.

He had a hip replacement and at the time of his death was waiting for the other to be operated on.

Mr Keen, the court heard, also had an upcoming appointment with a neurologist in May to be tested for Parkinson’s disease for which he was showing symptoms.

He was being treated with anti-depressants for low mood and anxiety.

But in a call to the NHS iTalk mental health helpline about a week before his death, Mr Keen had scored zero during a questionnaire to gauge whether he was suicidal.

He had told the call-handler that he was “very uptight” about the forthcoming neurological appointment saying he “hated” hospitals and was worried he had Parkinson’s.

Mr Keen had been referred by the mental health team for guidance on self-help to cope with his depression.

Ruling his death a suicide, Mr Wilkinson said he could “only begin to imagine the upset [his family] have endured since his passing".

The Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or at www.samaritans.org