A plumber and builder who exhibited a 'happy-go-lucky' persona to his colleagues and friends killed himself at home.

Karl Edmunds, 41, was found dead by a friend at his home in The Parade, Folkestone on Sunday, December 9 last year.

At a hearing into his death at the Archbishops Palace in Maidstone yesterday, the court was told how Mr Edmunds had sought help from his GP regarding stress, anxiety and depression since 2017.

In a statement read out from his doctor, the court was told how Mr Edmunds was prescribed antidepressants, the dosage of which was increased at one stage, and he had also asked his doctor to swap it after a while and try different medication. He was also considering having more counselling.

Giving evidence, DS Kevin Gurr explained there was no evidence of a disturbance and Mr Edmunds had no injuries.

He told the court that a search of Mr Edmunds phone revealed he had searched online for ways to kill himself.

He explained that 'not unusually', Mr Edmunds barely discussed his mental health: "The majority of the people that I spoke to - most of them just expressed how happy he was. He just appeared to be happy and upbeat.

"It is a sad fact of life that when people have difficulties they do not always disclose these..." assistant coroner Sonia Hayes

"The only indication of messages he had sent was that he was feeling lonely to one of his friends. The friend had responded."

The medical cause of death given was asphyxiation, due to lack of oxygen.

Assistant coroner Sonia Hayes concluded Mr Edmunds death to be suicide. She said: "It is a sad fact of life that when people have difficulties they do not always disclose these.

"I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family. It was clear to me that Karl was attempting to get some help."

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.

If you want to talk to someone confidentially, click here