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A dad and fitness enthusiast with no history of mental illness took his own life after sending his partner a heartbreaking text.
Paul Fuller, 44, cut his wrists before jumping off a cliff in Ramsgate, an inquest has heard.
The IT consultant had lived in Beresford Road, Ramsgate, with his partner Catherine and their 19-month-old son.
Mr Fuller, who graduated from a university in Canterbury with a degree in computing, was keen on fitness and was "always running and cycling" according to his family.
But on October 10, his partner awoke at about 5.30am to find him missing.
Checking her phone, she found a text Mr Fuller had sent late the previous night while she was sleeping, which read: "I don't expect you to forgive me, but please let me do the best for you and [our child]."
Noticing he had left his car and mobile at home, and worried about his state of mind, Catherine contacted her dad who called the police.
'It was very out of character'
Det Sgt Adelsberg told the inquest on Tuesday: "He was concerned because Paul was worried about debt - he thought Paul might try to take his own life.
However, DS Adelsberg added: "There was no mental health history, he hadn't been missing previously. It was very out of character."
Tragically, at about 3.30pm that day, a young man discovered Mr Fuller's body in a cove at Western Undercliff Beach near the Royal Esplanade, less than a mile from his home.
Paramedics rushed to the beach, but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
A post mortem concluded Mr Fuller died as a result of multiple injuries, while a toxicology report found there was no sign of drugs or alcohol in his system when he died.
His mum, in a statement read by the coroner, said she had seen her son just days before his death and told how he would frequently stop by to help his parents, such as by planting flowers in their garden.
"We were unaware that Paul had any other issues going on," she said in her statement.
"There must have been something going on for him to do what he has done.
"I still can't believe it's happened. We just can't believe it. It's just out of character."
She said she and her husband were unaware of any financial problems troubling her son, adding: "If it was, why didn't he come talk to us?"
Concluding the inquest at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone, coroner Eileen Sproson said: "His mother and father were incredibly surprised when they heard what has happened, and can't believe that it has happened.
"Mr Fuller cut his wrists, and then jumped from a cliff.
"I am satisfied that he had to a degree planned this - he sent his partner a text, he got a knife, and took it to the cliffs - and because of that I am satisfied it is a suicide."
If you need help on an emotional issue you can call the Samaritans free, at any time, on 116 123.
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