A man from Bovingdon took his own life while in a state of depression, an inquest has heard.

John Brodrick, who was living with his mother in her flat in Orchard Court at the time, was 49-years-old when he died on December 7 2014.

Evidence presented at Hertfordshire Coroner’s Court showed Mr Brodrick had suffered from symptoms of depression because of previous records of self-harm and a hospital admission following an overdose in September last year.

Graham Danbury, deputy coroner for Hertfordshire, read out a statement from Mr Brodrick’s brother which detailed the events of December 7.

At 8.50am that day, concern arose when Mr Brodrick’s mother’s carer could not enter the flat.

After his brother was notified, he drove round with his own key, and found him hanged.

Emergency services were called but he could not be revived.

He had left behind two notes, which were found by officers who attended the scene, indicating he wanted to take his own life.

Mr Danbury ruled Mr Brodrick’s cause of death as asphyxiation.

In his conclusion he said: “I’m satisfied that his actions were deliberate and that he intended to take his own life.

“Adding to that – while suffering from depression. This was the trigger to his decision.”