An inquest has heard how a young man tragically died at a Bracknell car park after being targeted by an Internet 'blackmailer' in the period before his suicide.

George Greenaway, of Brook Green in Bracknell, died on March 23, 2023.

On the day of his death, he had been spotted by a member of security staff at the edge of the car park railings. The security guard alerted the emergency services, and paramedics rushed to the scene.

However, Mr Greenaway was tragically pronounced dead within the hour, having sustained multiple severe injuries.

In the wake of the tragedy, the 23-year-old's family called for improvements to be made at the car park to deter future suicides.

The inquest at Reading Coroner's Court heard today (February 2) there was also a delay in getting a defibrillator to the scene, as the first one brought over by medics was found to be faulty.

Mr Greenaway had struggled with depression, for which he was being treated at the time of his death.

In a statement, Mr Greenaway's family described him as an 'intelligent, compassionate, quick-witted and empathetic man,' who read avidly and worked as a landscape gardener.

They said: "The other part of George - the other, dark side - was tortured with mental health difficulties.

"He was supported by family and friends, and with counselling and medications."

Mr Greenaway's death was preceded by a complex string of life events. These included an attempted overdose and episodes of self-harm, as well the breakdown of an eight-year relationship in September 2022.

Text messages found by his family after his death showed that, in the run-up to March 2023, Mr Greenaway had attempted to purchase edible drugs on the Internet - only for the 'seller' to demand £2,500 from him.

They threatened the 23 year old, telling him that - if he did not pay up - they would report him to the police.

Mr Greenaway's family handed the messages over to the authorities. However, police assessed that the blackmailer was not a UK resident, and did not pursue the case.

A note had been left at his home for his loved ones by Mr Greenaway, although it was only discovered posthumously, the note had been written months before Mr Greenaway's suicide.

During consultations with a therapist in the summer of 2022, Mr Greenaway said he was hearing voices in his head. The therapist's notes were read at inquest held on February 2.

They state: "He [Mr Greenaway] said there was someone inside him that wanted to kill himself, but it wasn't him."

Dr Jeremy Mellins, a GP, weighed in with his own assessment. He stated that no "serious escalation" in Mr Greenaway's mental health treatment took place - despite the appeals of both Mr Greenaway and a psychologist for further assessments.

Dr Mellins noted that Mr Greenaway's symptoms - including the voices he was hearing - had a "flavour" of psychosis.

He told the inquest: "It is likely, in my view, that intervention would have given a chance for a better outcome."

However, Dr Mellins added that - despite Mr Greenaway's words and actions in the run-up to his death - he did not present to medical professionals as an "imminent" suicide risk.

In the end, Mrs Malhotra chose to disregard Dr Mellins' evidence, noting that he was not directly involved in Mr Greenaway's treatment.

She ruled that she "cannot know" whether intervention at an earlier stage would have prevented Mr Greenaway's suicide, or if the blackmail attempt was a contributing factor.

Speaking at the conclusion of the inquest, Mr Greenaway's sister Holly said he had been doing "everything" he could have to address his mental health struggles.

She told the court: "It looks to us, at least, that were clearly some opportunities that were missed with George."

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