A popular Devon builder with a passion for surfing was tragically found passed away at the bottom of a cliff top after being reported missing from his home. Stephen Brenton, 51, described as a devoted dad who idolised his son, was said to have had a long history of battling with depression, an inquest at Exeter Coroner's Court heard today, January 23.
He was said to have struggled to come to terms with the breakdown of his marriage so had been prescribed anti-depressants and had sought the help of a private counsellor. However, his low mood persisted and in April 2023, he shared suicidal thoughts with his GP practice.
Mr Brenton, who was born in Truro, was referred for a mental health assessment on May 15. When he deteriorated further, a request was made four days before the date to be seen earlier but it was declined.
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He was reported missing by his mother on May 15, 2023, after she went to pick him up for the appointment from his home in Beer but he was not there. He had sent some concerning messages earlier that morning to his mother, son and ex-wife telling them he loved them.
Around lunchtime, he was located by search teams at the bottom of a cove near Beer. The cause of his death was multiple injuries consistent with a fall. Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances and that they 'strongly' suspected it was a deliberate act.
The day before his death, he had spent time at a friend's house. In a statement, Stuart Morgan told how they met through surfing. He said he had been unaware Mr Brenton had made any previous suicide attempts or had any mental health issues.
When they went for a swim on the morning of May 14, he recalled Mr Brenton having been in a 'bad way' but had seemed a little better by the afternoon.
Mr Morgan said: "He made no comments or intermated in any way he intended to hurt himself."
He added: "He was a really popular chap. People of all ages liked him, young and old. People in Beer really warmed to him and he had lots of friends. It is so sad that none of us could stop Steve doing what he did."
Shatter the Silence
The DevonLive Shatter the Silence campaign aims to encourage anyone struggling to reach out and talk - to either a friend, relative, charity or a professional. Our campaign content will highlight just how important talking is and the difference it can make.
Ultimately, we want to reduce the number of people who die by suicide in Devon. We will highlight where to get help and show how talking has helped people come through difficult times in their lives. We will speak to families who have lost loved ones to look at the lasting impact of suicide and attempt to dismiss the inaccurate belief many people who are struggling manifest that they are a burden on the ones they love. We will look at the devastation caused to those left behind in the hope that even one reader might change their mind if they have considered taking their own life.
We will speak to people who have survived a suicide attempt and have accessed counselling or other mental health services to show that things can get better. We will speak to Samaritans volunteers about their vital work in Devon and how they are on hand 24-7 to listen. And we will offer guidance on what to say to someone who is struggling so people feel more confident to have that conversation.
Do you have a relevant story to share? Email emma.slee@reachplc.com.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
SAMARITANS offers support in a range of ways, including a self-help app, email support or by calling 116 123 for free 24 hours a day
NHS Offers advice on how to access mental health support
TALKWORKS is a free-to-access NHS service offering a variety of treatment and support for adults (aged 18+) living in Devon (excluding Plymouth)
CALM offer a free, confidential helpline 0800 58 58 58 and webchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life's problems
HUB OF HOPE is a mental health support database that can signpost you to local support services
ANDY'S MAN CLUB offers men a chance to talk with like-minded people. They have clubs in Devon as well as nationally
KOOTH & QWELL provides free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing support, including moderated peer support forums and text-based counselling, to all residents living in Devon (aged 11+)
PETE'S DRAGONS provide free-to-access support to all residents living in Devon who may have been bereaved by suicide at any point in their lives
THE MOORINGS is an emotional support service that provides telephone and face-to-face support via a drop-in service at its bases in Exeter, Barnstaple and Torquay. It is a non-clinical service but provides emotional support, signposting to other services and other general support that is tailored to the people who access it.
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The statement by Mr Brenton's wife Catherine was also read out during the inquest. She told how she had only found out from his family after he had passed away that he had made attempts to end his life shortly before his death.
She recalled how she had met Mr Brenton at a nightclub in Exmouth in 2002 and they had later married and had a son together. Their relationship ended in July 2022 and she told how she had never stopped him from being able to see their son.
She added that despite their co-parenting relationship having improved before his death, his mental health had not and she had encouraged him to seek professional help.
On the day before he died, she said they had talked over a cuppa at her house but he had not told her about his psychiatric appointment the next day. After hearing of his death, Mrs Brenton said: "I just couldn't believe it and that he had reached that point."
She added that due to his love of surfing, he had a surfboard-themed coffin and had been dressed in his surf clothing. She said: "I like to think he has found a peaceful place to be."
Dr Joanne Butterworth, a GP at Claremont Medical Practice, told the inquest Mr Brenton was fully engaged with all the services available to him and the plan had been to keep him safe while he waited for his mental health assessment after reporting he was struggling on May 8. No previous suicide attempts were recorded in his medical records.
She said: "He blamed himself for the break-up of the marriage and thought he a had personality disorder."
Evidence from Devon's community mental health team stated how a request to bring forward his assessment had been made on May 11, but they were unable to do so because the period between then and his appointment on May 15 fell over a weekend and no appointments were available on the other days.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, Alison Longhorn, area coroner for Exeter and Greater Devon, said: “Steve died on May 15, 2023, having fallen from the cliff above. He had a history of low mood and expressed suicidal thoughts to medical professionals in the weeks before his death."
