Retired GP took his life after his mental health declined

A RETIRED GP and clay pigeon shooter took his own life after a decline in his mental health which caused him to act irrationally, including trying to deactivate ammunition by heating it in a pan on the hob.

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Dr Keith Henderson's daughter told an inquest in Truro that his family had to break into his house and found his body because the police and fire service refused to attend unless paramedics told them to do so.

Dr Henderson, 60, of Praze-an-Beeble, suffered a breakdown a month before his death on March 26 last year, telling his family he “had done something stupid” by storing more ammunition than his licence allowed and throwing some of it away.

His daughter Violet told the hearing her father became increasingly paranoid about the safety of his guns and ammunition, which he kept at home, fearing he would be attacked and the house bombed.