Former RAF soldier dies of epileptic fit after being left "broken-hearted" (From Your Local Guardian)

Former RAF soldier dies of epileptic fit after being left "broken-hearted"

11:25am Friday 10th August 2012 in Wandsworth By Alexandra Rucki

A former RAF soldier died of an epileptic fit after being left “broken-hearted” over the death of his partner, an inquest has heard.

Andrew Fairhurst, 48, of St Andrew's Court, Earlsfield, was found collapsed in his bedroom on June 7.

The inquest heard Mr Fairhurst was already coping with epilepsy and HIV but suffered depression and was on the brink of becoming an alcoholic after being left devastated by the death of his civil partner Nicholas Washer.

On Thursday, Westminster Coroners Court heard his aunt and uncle were at the flat on the morning he died.

At 7am his uncle, Adrian Waistle, noticed a grunt coming from his nephew's bedroom, but did not think anything of it.

Later that morning aunt Maureen Waistle went into the bedroom to find Mr Fairhurst lying face down on the floor.

An ambulance was called with several attempts made to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The inquest heard Mr Fairhurst was traumatised after the death of his partner of about 25 years.

He was receiving treatment for his depression, but was not taking the medication and was referred to the community mental health team.

A post mortem examination found he had brain scarring as a result of hitting his head while fitting, finding the cause of death was his epilepsy.

Coroner Martin Flemming said: "He had a complicated medical history, he was becoming an alcoholic. On top of this he was suffering from depression.

"He was suffering terrible grief over the loss of his partner. He had not been taking his medication."

After the inquest Mr Waistle said he put the cause of death down to a "broken heart."

He said: "He died of a broken heart. He had a happy childhood, he was happy to go into the RAF and he was happy in London and met his future partner - until they both died."

The coroner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.