Troubled Derbyshire man, aged 27, died after struggle with mental health

A troubled Derbyshire man who struggled with alcoholism and depression took his own life aged just 27, an inquest heard.

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Liam Flynn was found inside a tent in his grandmother’s conservatory where he was pronounced dead by a paramedic on September 22 at around 8.30am.

Area Coroner Peter Nieto described how the tent was scattered with bottles containing “suspected chemicals”.

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While several “farewell” notes written by Liam expressing his “regret” were found in the house - on Reynard Crescent, Renishaw.

The court heard the last contact Liam’s mother Gail Flynn had with her son was at around 7pm the day before his death.

Reading from her statement, Mr Nieto said: “He gave no indication that he was having any thoughts about taking his own life.”

Mr Nieto described how Derbyshire Police received a call the morning Liam was found from a window cleaner reporting a chemical smell coming from the conservatory of the house.

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Speaking about the moment emergency services arrived the coroner said: “Unfortunately the paramedic had a reaction to the presumed chemicals and had to leave the property.”

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In evidence from Liam’s mother the court heard her son - who moved from Huddersfield to live with his grandmother in Renishaw in 2017 - had alcohol and depression difficulties.

Reading from her statement, Mr Nieto said: “She describes Liam as having difficulties in early childhood.

“He became isolated during his teenage years and later developed obsessive behaviour.”

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After moving to Renishaw Liam was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome - while lockdown during the pandemic “affected him in particular”.

The court heard in May 2021 Liam’s mother contacted Derbyshire Recovery Partnership reporting that her son was drinking heavily - up to “20-40 units of alcohol per day”.

However during a telephone assessment in June Liam told the service he had stopped drinking “completely” and did not need any support.

Concluding that Liam died by suicide, Mr Nieto said: “Mr Flynn left notes which can be read as farewell notes and provide evidence of intention.

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“Mr Flynn was likely experiencing poor mental health at the time and was prescribed antidepressants.

“He had also been having problems with alcohol use.”

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