Mystery of man’s death isn’t solved at inquest

Jul 3 2009 The Journal

MYSTERY surrounds the death of an apparently healthy man who plunged from a tower block balcony, an inquest heard.

Family members may never know why Steven Henderson plunged from outside the window of his high-rise flat, despite an apparent suicide note left at the scene.

A neighbour who lived on the ground floor discovered the 33-year-old’s body after opening his curtains at The Poplars, Cruddas Park, Newcastle.

Police attended but found there to be no suspicious circumstances following the March 22 fall.

The front door to the victim’s flat was locked, there was no evidence of alcohol abuse and what may have been a suicide note was also discovered.

But the Newcastle inquest heard no conclusions could be drawn from the messily-written note, which contained a reference to bipolar disorder.

Checks revealed Mr Henderson was healthy and was not a known drinker or drug user.

His GP confirmed he had never been diagnosed with any mental illness, including bipolar disorder – sometimes referred to as manic depression.

A post-mortem revealed Mr Henderson died from injuries consistent with a fall from height.

No family attended the hearing on Tuesday, where Coroner David Mitford recorded a open verdict.

Mr Mitford said: “Although a document was recovered that appears to be in his handwriting, he doesn’t mention any question of doing anything to harm himself or having any thoughts of harming himself.”