A haulage driver who suffered from mental health problems took his own life after years of relationship problems, an inquest has heard.

Liam McDonagh was found hanged at his home in Foxburrow Close in Parkwood, near Rainham, on Thursday, March 21, after he failed to respond to his partner's texts. He was 46.

He had separated from his wife Jean who he married in 2008 and was step-father to her two children. He met another woman, Nearly Emms, in July 2015.

Evidence from her was read out at an inquest at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone on Wednesday.

They moved to their Foxburrow Close home before he kicked her out on Tuesday, March 19.

On Thursday, March 21, he sent Ms Emms a message at 2.31am which said: "I love you the whole wide world forever my princess, I'm so sorry for everything, goodbye."

She replied at about 4.15am to say she hoped he was OK.

There followed a short phone call between the two before a final message was sent from him at 6.29am again apologising.

Ms Emms had told Mr McDonagh to get some sleep but became concerned when she had not heard from him again and called police.

"He was a kind and considerate man and never did me any wrong..." Jean McDonagh

Officers forced entry into his home and found him unresponsive shortly after 1pm.

A toxicology report found he had cocaine in his system and the inquest also heard he had previously attempted to take his life.

Following the hearing, his wife, Jean McDonagh, said: "I was with him for 25 years. He was always laughing and joking about and trying to make us happy.

"He was a kind and considerate man and never did me any wrong."

Area coroner Bina Patel concluded Mr McDonagh's death was an act of suicide through asphyxia.

If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact the Samaritans helpline on 116 123, 24 hours a day.

You can also find information here.

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