Coroner's anger at suicide site

Police gave evidence about suicide website

A man decapitated himself by tying a rope around his neck and attaching it to lamp post before driving away at high speed, an inquest has been told.

David Wackett from Bridgend, in south Wales, tied a slip knot around his neck and as he accelerated away, the rope tightened and took his head "clean off".

The 25-year-old's body was discovered by a colleague in the early hours of 6 December last year, in the car park of the B&Q store where he worked night shifts.

After hearing evidence from police that a website existed advising on this method of suicide, Bridgend Coroner Philip Walters said: "I find it quite incredible that web sites like this which tell you how to commit suicide in so many different ways should be allowed to exist.

The hearing was told how Mr Wackett had been working the twilight shift on the night of his suicide when he left the store at 0200 GMT for a break.

A colleague said he seemed "his usual self".

But during his 'break, Mr Wackett is believed to have got hold of a nylon rope - bought from the DIY store two days before - tied it around his neck, fed it through a window of his car and tied the other end to a lamp post.

The police who investigated said it was the most violent and horrific method to end a life. Coroner Philip Walters

As he drove away the rope tightened, tearing his head from his body.

Shortly after a co-worker spotted his red Vauxhall Corsa with what "looked like red paint thrown over the windscreen."

In a statement, employee Gareth West said: "I went up to the car and looked directly in through the driver's window. There was music playing.

"I saw a body in the driver's seat with its arms by its side. There was no head attached to the body at all. The body had a seatbelt on."

Mr West told other workers to stay away and called police.

"When the police arrived I told the officer to prepare himself before he looked into the car," he added.

Another colleague Craig Rees said: "David was a quiet chap who tended to keep himself to himself.

'Feelings had intensified'

"He did seem a little down over a girl we worked with, Nadine, I think he had more feelings for her than she had for him and this caused him problems."

In another statement Nadine Jones described Mr Wackett as "a nice guy" with who she "had a good laugh with".

"People at work would rib me about David wanting to take me out," she added.

"But he was a friend and I had no physical feelings for him.

"We went to the pictures once and I told him I would go out with him again just as friends.

"I know David wanted more and lately his feelings had intensified for me."

South Wales Police scenes of crime officer Michael Heaton said that Mr Wackett's head was found under the back seat of the car. A note was also found.

Recording a verdict of suicide, coroner Philip Walters said: "This is a very tragic death.

"He was described as a lovely, gentle man.

"The police who investigated said it was the most violent and horrific method to end a life.

"Detectives discovered an internet website which gave advice on this method of suicide."