A DOCTOR killed himself while he was depressed because he feared he would suffer a stroke, an inquest has heard.
Doctor Edward Proctor, 84, from Pandy was found dead by his son in a nearby farm. Gwent coroner David Bowen said he died from barbiturate toxicity.
Dr Proctor moved to Abergavenny in 1990 after the death of his wife. The court heard that up until about two years ago he had good physical and mental health and was active.
About two years ago he started having heart problems and also started suffering from sleep problems. About two weeks before he died he had lost the sight in one eye. The court heard he believed a stroke was "just around the corner."
Gwent coroner David Bowen said, "He health was deteriorating on October 21, 2008 he took his own life. He called his son to say goodbye. His daughter had the same call. His son decided to drive up from London to look for him and he had gone missing form the family home.
"It was not unusual for him to go for a walk. His body was found in a nearby farm, he died from barbiturate toxicity. He had lost the sight in one eye, that lead him to fear that he would experience the debilitating stroke.
Verdict: Killed himself while depressed.