An Ipswich man who took his own life in horrific circumstances was assessed by healthcare professionals hours before he committed suicide, an inquest has heard.

Guy William Halden’s body was discovered in his red Toyota Corolla after it was involved in a collision with another vehicle outside Asda in Stoke Park on December 14 last year.

The inquest was told officers attended but he was declared dead immediately after they discovered he had been decapitated.

Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean told the inquest the 51-year-old had been given a psychiatric assessment at Ipswich Hospital on the day of his death after he reacted badly to not being given his normal medication at a doctor’s surgery.

But he said there was nothing to suggest to doctors or police that Mr Halden, of Sawston Close, Ipswich, would take his own life.

The assessments followed an incident at a doctor’s surgery where Mr Halden, who suffered from depression and was bipolar, banged his head against a wall after being told he could not have his medication.

Police were also called but decided not to section him as he had calmed down.

Dr Dean said: “He went to Ipswich Hospital with his wife and there were assessments conducted. We hear that when he left the hospital he returned to his home address and was last seen going into his bedroom with a hot water bottle, which was not unusual.

“It was clear that there was a long history of mental illness. He was not known to police, though.”

At about 9pm that night, Mr Halden’s car hit another vehicle before striking a lamppost. A note was left next to his body and he had also left a note for his son.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Dr Dean said: “Looking at all of these circumstances, it is clear that what took place that day was a very awful and horrific sequence of events.

“It is clear that there was a lot of contact between Mr Halden and healthcare professionals and the police that day.

“There was nothing to give his wife any cause for concern at that time and to all of those looking into the circumstances, it appeared he was calm and there was no suggestion of what was to take place later that day.

“It is clear from the action Mr Halden took and the contents of the notes that he left, that, for whatever reason, he made the decision that he did and he clearly understood and intended the outcome of the actions that day.

“Clearly there was nothing in the assessments of any healthcare professionals at the time or any information that would have predicted the horrific events that were to follow.”

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