An inquest heard that a Stowmarket father who took his own life in a chapel building in February felt that he had “lost everything”. 

The body of Matthew Rampley, aged 50, was found by members of the public in the porch of a lock-gated chapel within Stowmarket's New Cemetery, off Violet Hill Road, on February 23 this year.   

An inquest held on Thursday, November 2, concluded that Mr Rampley, a graphic designer, had intended to end his life. 

Senior coroner for Suffolk Nigel Parsley read a statement written by Mr Rampley’s father, Philip Rampley, before the court. 

He said that Mr Rampley had a “wonderful childhood”, sharing long, carefree days with his sister and friends.  

At school, he excelled at subjects such as art and drama, and studying hard for his diploma, he joined a design agency where his work was “commended”. He soon joined a larger agency, married and had two children.  

However, Mr Rampley said that the pressure of his job took its toll on his son. He had time off with stress but couldn’t cope with the pressure and soon resigned.  

During this time, he began to drink heavily, which is when his father said he “lost everything”, with his marriage ending and having to leave the family home.  

“He felt life was one hurdle after another, each one getting higher,” Mr Parsley read.  

He heard that Mr Rampley had been trying to get his drinking under control for a number of years and had spent five treatment episodes with the charity Turning Point since 2019. 

The court heard that Mr Rampley had also sought help with his mental health, although there were occasions when he had left hospital before that help could be given.  

Two days before his death, a mental health practitioner called Mr Rampley to discuss his mental health. He said that Mr Rampley explained that he was waiting for a call from hospital, and asked if they could rearrange to speak on the afternoon of February 23.  

However, Mr Rampley took his own life that morning.  

A note that was recovered from Mr Rampley’s body, in which said he felt “let down by the so-called system, mental health is an illness”. He signed the note “Angel Matthew”. 

Mr Parsley recorded a conclusion of suicide.  

Speaking to Mr Rampley’s parents and sister, he said: “As loved ones, we all ask ourselves those questions – could we have, should we have, why didn’t they? 

“We know Matt had his struggles, but I have not seen anything that shows that morning you would have thought he would do what he did.”