A talented self-employed engineer whose skills were called upon to create antique-style doorbells for the British historical drama television series Downton Abbey tragically died after falling from a cliff in Budleigh Salterton. John Stone, who lived in a cottage in the small village of Adforton in Leintwardine, Herefordshire, was described as an 'old-fashioned, funny, personable and creative man'.
An inquest was held at Exeter Coroners Court today, March 21, into the 62-year-old's death on May 25, 2023. In a statement read out during the hearing, his sister Carolyn Chesshire told how when he had been studying engineering at university, he contracted glandular fever around the age of 20 which she described as having affected him 'dreadfully' for the rest of his life.
She said he went on to suffer with ME which often left him feeling fatigued and it had not been a widely recognised condition at the time. She added that ME can affect the brain and he suffered psychosis and a breakdown six years before his death.
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In 2019, he was said to have driven to Birmingham to make a suicide attempt but was rescued before he could do so and was sectioned.
Ms Chesshire said: "He refused help. It was seen as an admission of defeat. More recently he had gone from engineering to precision engineering. He would make and sell things all over the world."
She said that he had made antique doorbells for Downton Abbey. A month before his death she described him as having been 'distant and behaved oddly' and had arranged a lunch with family members which was their last time all together. She added he did not take prescribed medication.
The last time she said she saw him was around May 18, 2023. She told how she had not known why he had travelled to Budleigh Salterton where he was found passed away.
She said: "It is not a family holiday location and, as far as I know, he had no knowledge of the area. It is as if he got in his car and drove as far south as he could."
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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
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Paying tribute to her brother she said: "He was an old-fashioned, funny, personable and creative man who was tall, charming and good-looking but had demons that manifested him."
She added: "He really was the kindest, gentlest person going. He was charming, well-read and well-spoken."
Mr Stone's body was found at the bottom of cliffs in Budleigh Salterton by a group of kayakers around 11am on May 25, 2023. The cause of his death was multiple injuries.
A witness told police that he had been seen in a nearby car park on May 24 around 5.30pm and was reportedly 'acting strangely'. His vehicle did not move after that time.
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Mr Stone, who was born in Worcestershire and was single, was confirmed as having had a long history of mental health issues by his GP, dating back to 1985, including paranoid delusions, psychotic episodes and anxiety. He had last seen his GP in February 2019 following a period of being off work due to stress and had been wanting to return.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, assistant coroner Luisa Nicholson said: "John was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Budleigh Salterton having purposefully jumped off them in a bid to end his life sadly. He had a long history of mental health issues including suicidal ideations and psychosis and spent some time under section."
