A popular Exeter plasterer who was renowned for being the 'life and soul of the party' was tragically found passed away at home after not turning up for work. Jason Worth, 39, has been described as a loveable, hardworking and kindhearted man by his supportive family and friends.
However, he battled with his mental health which had deteriorated in the months leading up to his untimely death on February 27, 2023, an inquest heard.
In a statement, his sister Donna Andrews told how Jason, who was born in Exeter, had enjoyed a happy childhood and was fanatical about football and loved to socialise. From a young age he was said to have had a strong work ethic and at one time had three paper rounds.
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After leaving school he trained as a plasterer and after working for other people he became self-employed. Throughout much of his life, he also struggled with depression and anxiety which was believed to have led him to become addicted to gambling and to start taking cocaine.
His problems were said to have become worse after losing a court battle which saw his daughter emigrate to New Zealand with her mother, and then when he had another son with a different partner he was also denied contact with him. At the time of his death, he had been trying to get access to his son through the family court.
Donna said she had been unaware of the extent of his drug taking until after his death, but believed not being able to see his children had massively impacted him. She added that due to his gambling, he had debt problems.
Paying tribute to him, she said: "He was the life and soul of the party and his smile was infectious. There are plenty of videos I have been watching that remind me of happier times.
"He always singing and dancing and liked to tell everyone his life story. He would give the time of day to anyone and even if he had no money he would go outside and buy a homeless person a meal."
Lifelong friend Ryan Stevens told in a statement how he was more like a brother to him and his children called him 'uncle'. He recalled how Jason's mental health had deteriorated 'a lot' over the last three-and-a-half years, and said he had an addictive personality.
He said: "Gambling and debt were probably the biggest banes in Jason's life."
The last time he said he saw him was when they bumped into each other at a local shop and had arranged to meet for a drink at a later date.
He said: "He seemed happy and bouncing around in good spirits." He added: "His family were always there for him."
Paying tribute to Jason, he described him as being an energetic and 'loveable soul' which was shown by the 'magnificent' number of people who attended his funeral.
Evidence was also heard from his ex-girlfriend who told in a statement how they had separated for the last time in September 2022 due to his issues. She told how she continued to support him and contacted his GP and mental health services which she believed he was suffering from drug-induced psychosis from October 2022 onwards.
However, his medical records showed he had denied to medical professionals that he was unwell or having suicidal thoughts and declined offers of help.
She added he was always borrowing money and then paying it back due to his gambling problems, and said: "No wonder he was stressed and when he was stressed he resorted to doing things he shouldn't rather than talking about it and sorting it out."
Jason was found passed away at home on February 27, 2023, when a work colleague broke down the door to his flat after he had not been seen or heard from since February 16. In his flat debt collection letters and court papers were found.
Shatter the Silence
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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.
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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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A police investigation concluded there were no suspicious circumstances. The cause of his death was ligature compression of the neck. Toxicology tests confirmed he had taken cocaine and sufficient alcohol to cause mild intoxication prior to his death.
Coroner Philip Spinney said: "Jason used cocaine and consumed alcohol and was known to suffer from mental health and have irrational thoughts. He was in significant debt, as well as being party to family court proceedings."
He added that although the evidence showed he had taken his own life, he would not be recording a conclusion of suicide.
He said: "He had taken a significant amount of cocaine, sufficient to cause significant intoxication, and for that reason I can't be certain what his intentions were at the time."
Recording a narrative conclusion instead, Mr Spinney said: "Jason died as a consequence of his own actions."