A man was found dead in his car with carbon monoxide poisoning after struggling with personal issues for a number of years, an inquest heard this week.

Michael Roberts, 44, of Bowstridge Lane, Chalfont St Giles, was found in April by his distraught sister Kate, a nurse, who knew there were “no lifesaving opportunities” when she found him.

Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court heard Mr Roberts, who lived alone, had struggled with a number of personal issues, with senior coroner Crispin Butler alluding to evidence of a messy divorce among other things.

Mr Roberts was married at the time of his death but had been going though a divorce battle for a couple of years, the court heard.

In a statement read out to the court by Mr Butler, Kate, who was present in court, said she found Mr Roberts “stone cold” in his car, which he had parked behind the house, possibly so he could not be found.

She said in her statement her brother had gone to stay in Stoke-on-Trent prior to his death, where she and their father had spent time with him.

As he was leaving, he put a message in the family’s WhatsApp group to say he would not be returning to the city, and that he loved them, the inquest was told.

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The court also heard Mr Roberts was generally fit and well but had struggled with issues “building since July 2018 with his relationship breaking down”.

He underwent talking therapy but was not put on medication, the court heard.

Kate said she tried to offer support, reassurance and comfort, and the pair stayed in touch via telephone during the various lockdowns.

She added: “Covid restrictions had a huge impact on Mike. He was unable to spend time with family or play football.

“He was low at the time with the situation he had found himself in.”

Kate also said she did not think Mr Roberts would take his own life.

DC Hayley Sparkes, of Thames Valley Police, said TVP received a call from South Central Ambulance Service at 3.45pm on April 4. SCAS said it had received a call at 3.40pm from Kate Roberts, who had found her brother in his car.

A note was also found on the dashboard saying Mr Roberts did not want to be revived, and a number of handwritten notes were also found in his kitchen.

Mr Butler also pointed to evidence that showed previous planning by Mr Roberts, with DC Sparkes saying he was “struggling to cope with matters that were going on”.

Kate was said to have gone to Mr Roberts’ house after becoming “increasingly concerned” about his welfare, saying she had not heard from him for several days despite the pair keeping in close contact previously.

The court heard Mr Roberts had told his sister that she was “the only person he could talk to” and had said he “didn’t see the point anymore” a few times previously.

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A postmortem report found Mr Roberts had died of carbon monoxide toxicity, which was recorded as the medical cause of death.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Butler said: “He died of carbon monoxide poisoning and his death came in the context of his recent personal issues.”

Speaking to Kate during the inquest, he said: “It is very clear to me that you have been a huge support to Mike.”

He added: “It sounds to me like you have been a real rock for him. There is nothing you could have done. He ultimately decided that this was going to be the outcome. It’s very, very sad.”

For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit a local Samaritans branch. See samaritans.org for more details.