AN inquest into the death of a 64-year-old, who was a “kind” man and beloved father, concluded that he died by suicide.

The inquest into the death of John Kimachia Chege resumed and concluded at Bradford Coroners’ Court, in Cater Street on Wednesday. 

Assistant Coroner Caroline Chandler deemed that Mr Chege had taken his own life and that on the balance of probabilities” he died as “a deliberate act” and intended for it to be fatal.

She said: “On April 16 the deceased left work, has driven to an area known as Judy Woods…and was found on April 18 deceased at 3.11pm by West Yorkshire Police.”

A missing persons investigation was launched when Mr Chege did not return home from work as a locum pharmacist on April 16.

Police were alerted to search Judy Woods after his family found his car parked up there.

Mr Chege was married to his wife, Susan, for 31 years and had two sons, Ricky and Roy, who were all in attendance at the inquest. 

Mr Chege, who was called “Kim” by his wife, was born in Kenya and came to the UK to study Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Bradford.

The court heard he loved walking and running, as well as travel, and was a dedicated member of the church.

He also volunteered with the air ambulance.

Long-term colleague and friend Sarah Clarkson said Mr Chege was “like family to me” and described him as a “kind” and “selfless” man, who would always say to staff  “don’t worry, be happy”.

But when he returned from a holiday in Kenya in April, Mrs Clarkson said Mr Chege “had changed, he wasn’t himself”.

The court heard how Mr Chege found out a permanent general manager had been found for the Cohen’s Chemist pharmacy he was working at, meaning he would spend less time there.

Mr Chege had also suffered from reflux issues and was feeling “anxious” and not getting much sleep due to an upcoming endoscopy to try to help that problem, according to his GP.

The court heard he was prescribed Mirtazapine but changed to Sertraline to try to tackle his anxiety.

He was said to have responded "stoically" when he was spoken to about the new manager.

At the conclusion of the inquest, Mrs Chandler said to Mr Chege's family: “May I thank you for coming today and thank you boys for your questioning of the witnesses, which was extremely helpful.”

- Whatever you are going through, you don’t have to face it alone. Call Samaritans for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org for more information