‘Loving’ Chesterfield man took his own life after personal tragedies and lockdown struggles, inquest hears

A ‘kind-hearted and loving’ Chesterfield man – who endured a string of personal tragedies and struggled with the Covid-19 lockdown – died by suicide, a coroner has ruled.
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Michael Burton, 54, a retired police sergeant who had worked in the town for many years, sadly took his own life in 2020.

His inquest was held at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court on Friday.

Michael Burton.Michael Burton.
Michael Burton.
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In written statements read out to the court, Mr Burton’s family said he was ‘completely devastated’ by the untimely death of his long-term partner, Maxine, to cancer in 2015.

He had been ‘head over heels in love’ with her and her passing ‘had a huge impact on Michael and his well-being’.

Mr Burton subsequently went through the sudden death of his stepfather and the suicide of his brother, Kevin.

The court heard Mr Burton experienced work-related stress and was left traumatised after being physically attacked while doing his job. He retired in 2018.

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Prior to his death, he was ‘very worried’ about the coronavirus pandemic and told family he ‘struggled’ with lockdown.

Mr Burton was said to be concerned about himself and his sisters and partner as they were working on the front-line.

His relationship with his partner ended in April last year.

Mr Burton left a house he had been staying at in Top Road, Calow, and police later found his body in a property in Sheffield on April 20.

Susan Evans, assistant coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, recorded a conclusion of suicide at the end of the inquest.

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She said: “Michael clearly faced a number of pressures in his life.

“Most recently he was going through a difficult period with his relationship and coronavirus.

“I give my condolences to Michael’s loved ones.”

Mr Burton’s family told the inquest he was ‘intellectual and studious but also kind-hearted and loving’.

He enjoyed both taking part in and hosting quiz nights and was a huge fan of the Marvel Universe, being an avid collector of superhero memorabilia.

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