A “lovable and caring” software engineer committed suicide by jumping in front of a train at North Sheen, an inquest found.

Suman Valavala, 33, from Isleworth, died at about 9.45pm on December 4, 2015.

His wife, Priya Saladi, told west London Coroner's Court her husband had taken an overdose while on a work assignment in America a long time before their marriage, and had mentioned taking his own life to her.

Mrs Saladi told the court on Monday, May 16: “I remember him saying that the best way to kill himself would be by train.”

The couple, married for four years, argued before Mr Valavala left that morning, but had said sorry before they parted, the court heard.

Mr Valavala's wife described him as a thoughtful planner, and said she was the impulsive one in the relationship.

She called her husband’s GP at Cecil Road, Hounslow, on December 1 after he had discussed suicidal thoughts and Dr Bhupinder Mangat referred him to the Hounslow Mental Health team.

Your Local Guardian:

A painting of Mr Valavala, drawn by a family friend

It is unclear at this stage whether contact was made between Hounslow Mental Health and Mr Valavala.

Dr Mangat said: “I wanted the psychiatric team to check up on him.”

Dr Mangat said he contacted Mr Valavala and told him he had an open appointment at the surgery, which was declined.

Civilian fatality investigator with the British Transport Police, Gary Mathias, said CCTV footage showed Mr Valavala was alone on the platform before his death.

He said: “There was nothing suspicious from the train driver’s point of view, no indication he tripped.

“He jumped from the platform onto the track.”

Officers who searched Mr Valavala’s flat found no suicide note.

A toxicology report showed no drugs or alcohol in Mr Valavala’s system and a post-mortem examination indicated his injuries were consistent with the circumstances, with no signs of disease or a struggle.

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Mr Valavala took his own life at North Sheen station

Senior coroner for west London, Chinyere Inyama, said the death satisfied the criteria for a suicide.

He said: “He did not run, he didn’t trip, he wasn’t being chased. He jumped off the platform on to the track and lay there.

"I have evidence from two members of the family that the deceased was someone who would think things through, and he had mentioned jumping in front of a train before.

“If somebody lies on the track in front of a train they know there is going to be some serious damage caused."

He added: “He was a relatively young man and in these circumstances it is going to be very hard to understand why he would commit such an act.”

Mr Valavala’s cousin, Valli Puppala, described him as a “nice, loveable, thinking and caring person.”

Upon hearing of his death, Hari Karumuri, a friend and former colleague, said: “He was very kind and softly spoken. A very nice person and all his friends and everyone who knew him would vouch for that.”