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Published:
March 18, 2006
Burnham-On-Sea
pensioner shot himself after wife's death
A
Burnham-On-Sea man suffering after the death of his wife shot
himself because he could not cope without her, an inquest was
told this week.
Peter
Whitcombe, 66, of Old Burnham Road, Burnham-On-Sea killed himself
after the suffering the loss of his wife to cancer.
 The
pensioner was visited by his daughter, Bridget Griffiths, on the
morning of August 22nd 2005, who said he had shown no visible
signs of distress.
But
later that morning, at 10am, she had returned home and received
a call from him in which he said goodbye and added he could not
live his house alone any longer.
She
had told him not to his take life and that she was coming. Mrs
Griffith's daughter heard her shouting and they both went to find
him.
Mr
Whitcombe was
found at a friend's house in Jaycroft Road, pictured, lying in
the driveway next to his car, having shot himself.
The
friend was inside the house and did not know what had happened
until Mr Whitcombe's family arrived.
The
inquest was told that Mr Whitcombe had owned a set of guns and
had known both how to use them and also undertood the dangers.
The
man's doctor, Dr David
Gauld of Burnham Medical Centre, said his patient had not shown
any signs of distress and and had been making good progress.
West
Somerset coroner Michael Rose added: "Mr Whitcombe's wife's
death was a terrible blow to him. His daughters took great care
with their father, who was a capable man. No-one close to him
realised the turmoil going on his mind, but something snapped
that day."
Mr
Rose recorded a verdict that Mr Whitcombe had taken his own life
when the balance of his mind had been disturbed.
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