THE former chief executive of Maidstone Borough Council gassed himself while suffering from a bout of severe depression, an inquest was told.

The body of David Makepeace, who held the council's top post for more than 13 years, was found by his wife in his car in the garage of their home in Serpentine Road, Sevenoaks, on Thursday, October 3. He was 55.

A post-mortem examination established that Mr Makepeace, who took early retirement from local government in March 2000, died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

At the inquest his widow, Doreen, told how her husband had suffered from four periods of severe depression over the last 25 years. The last had started in February and was connected with his employment.

Mrs Makepeace told the inquest her husband's medication had been changed on the weekend before his death and he had been due to go for a job interview on the Friday.

Mrs Makepeace also said that on several occasions during his last illness he had mentioned taking his own life but when questioned said he had not really meant it.

The cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. Verdict: Mr Makepeice took his own life while the balance of his mind was disturbed.