Dentist took his life day after police visit
A DENTIST took his own life the day after being questioned by police.
The body of Mark Baxendine, of Millgrove House, Marine Road, was found at cliffs at Beachy Head on December 3.
An inquest at Eastbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday heard the 40-year-old had texted a friend saying, ' I will just say goodbye, I'm sorry I let you down' the same day he was seen by police, but friends told the hearing they did not think he would commit suicide.
The inquest heard that police had also searched his flat and found some cannabis, but the reason for the police search was withheld.
He had been bailed to return to the police station in eight months.
A post mortem on Mr Baxendine, who worked at Seaside Dental Practice, gave his cause of death as multiple injuries and a toxicology report showed there was cannabis in his system.
The inquest heard Joanne Nicholl, a friend of New Zealand-born Mr Baxendine, sent him a series of text messages on the day before he died and he had said he was worried about losing his job.
Beverly Kenward, a dental nurse, who had known Mr Baxendine for several years, said she had spoken to him on December 2 when he had told her details about the arrest and they arranged to meet the next day. However, when she called on the Wednesday morning she could not get hold of him.
PC Amy Green, who had been in contact with Mr Baxendine, said he seemed a bit low but was calm and said he was going to have a few drinks and then go to the cinema. He had been advised to see his GP.
His body was found the next day after a walker heading towards Birling Gap saw a leather coat had been abandoned with a mobile phone inside.
Fearing someone may have jumped from the cliffs he rang the police and Mr Baxendine's body was later recovered.
Coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of suicide while the balance of the mind was disturbed.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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