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.
