The family of a popular garden centre boss who shot himself just yards from his home say there had been no signs he wanted to take his own life.

Nigel Hanks, 63, was found dead at the family-run Gardeners Paradise in Littlebourne, where he worked as nurseryman and lived with his wife Jane.

The father-of-two's death has now led a coroner to urge those suffering in silence to speak out and seek help.

Sonia Hayes was presiding over the hearing at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone, which was told how all seemed normal before Mr Hank's tragic death.

In a statement read out by the coroner, his wife said: "Nigel got up at approximately 7am, got washed and dressed. He let the dogs out. He did not act differently."

It is understood he then went to the garden centre and suffered gunshot wounds and his body was found hanging by a colleague almost three hours later.

In her statement, Mrs Hanks said: "I will never know why Nigel did what he did, and constantly reflect on those last days and try to identify what I had missed.

"We have our son's wedding. We were looking to take a holiday."
She added that they had lost some "very close friends due to terminal illness" in the year leading up to Nigel's death, and that he had been supporting his elderly father.

Mr Hanks had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2014 and also suffered from arthritis, managing his symptoms with painkillers.

In the note he left for his wife he wrote: "The diabetes got the better of me. I'm in a lot of pain."

Mrs Hanks described her husband as "a great family man" who was "lovely and helpful to all".

"I met him when I was 15. He was always kind and respectful," she said in her statement.

"I loved him dearly from the day I met him."

Coroner Sonia Hayes recorded a conclusion of suicide at the inquest on Monday.

"It seems very extraordinary to have someone in a close and loving family do this," she said.

"But I would say it is not unusual for those people to sometimes be secretive, because they would not want to cause distress to their loved ones. It is very common that people do not share these thoughts."

She offered her condolences to Mr Hanks' family, before adding: "I would urge anyone who has problems to seek help and just talk to someone. There is help out there.

"The distress caused to loved ones can be so significant, and I sit here so many times hearing the outpouring of love that comes. "I'm certain that if the family had any thought whatsoever there were these thoughts in Nigel's head, they would have done anything in their power to help.

"I would urge anyone having these thoughts to seek help, although it can be the very hardest thing to do."

If you need help on an emotional issue you can call the Samaritans free, at any time, on 116 123.

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