A MAN suffering from depression who was worried about losing his home hanged himself, an inquest heard on Monday, July 1.

Mr James Keilly, 52, of Gosforth Lane, South Oxhey, was found in his home by police on Tuesday, March 12, 2002.

They had been alerted by housing officers from Three Rivers District Council who became concerned after Mr Keilly never responded to any council correspondence.

The inquest, held at St Albans Magistrates Court, heard how housing estate officers had tried to contact Mr Keilly on several occasions, because his house was going to be repossessed.

Mr Sean Hurley, a senior residential services officer at the district council, said: "We tried to offer him advice and assistance. We could have offered him alternatives.

"If he could not have afforded anything else he would have been eligible for housing benefit.

"But every attempt we made to contact him was unsuccessful."

It was thought Mr Keilly was suffering from depression.

A possession order was placed upon the house by a judge, giving Mr Keilly 14 days to leave the house.

Mr Keilly would have received a letter asking him to leave the property on March 12 the day he died.

Mr Hurley said: "We wrote to Mr Keilly asking him to leave the property and asking him to get in touch with the council about alternative accommodation.

"We did not hear anything from him."

The court heard how when Mr Hurley, and residential officer Mrs Cynthia Keilty, did not hear from Mr Keilly, another visit was made to his home on March 12.

The housing officers arrived at the house at about 3.05pm hoping to talk to Mr Keilly before he was forced to leave the house.

When the officers arrived at the house the door was bolted and the house secure.

Some of Mr Keilly's neighbours said they had not seen him for a few weeks so the housing officers contacted the police who forced entry into the house.

Mr Keilly was found hanging from the ceiling,

Police officers and paramedics managed to regain a pulse but Mr Keilly died later in hospital.

Coroner Edward Thomas said: "It is such a shame Mr Keilly did not make himself available to officers at the council. It was inevitable that he decided to kill himself.

"He would have received the letter from court on the morning of March 12."

Mr Thomas recorded a verdict Mr Keilly killed himself.

July 3, 2002 17:00