A father gassed himself to death in his car in a Watford car park as he felt his family’s lives would be better without him, an inquest heard.

A suicide note found next to Alastair Alexander after police discovered his body in the car park off Radlett Road said he was in a "bad place" he could not get out of.

The family of the 44-year-old, who had suffered long-term depression and anxiety, said his illness prevented him seeing “what a great person he was”.

An inquest into Mr Alexander’s death, held at Hatfield Coroner’s Court today, heard that he had sought help at A&E at Watford General Hospital on the night of Saturday September 24, days before his death.

The nurse who saw him said Mr Alexander, a father of one from Keele Close, was looking for a chat as he had had an argument with his family, which had panicked him.

During the encounter Mr Alexander, who served as a former councillor on Harrow Borough Council, was described as being stable, relaxed and said he had no intention of harming himself.

Mr Alexander’s body was then discovered by a driving instructor in his red Ford KA in the car park at around 1am on Monday September 26.

The police officer who attended, PC Dean Trollope, said Mr Alexander had stuck warning messages on the car window about the gas inside.

Mr Trollope said: “There was Post-it notes which said poisonous gasses contained in the car, ventilate car before entering.”

He said he then smashed a window in the car and was hit by a strong smell of carbon monoxide.

Paramedics who attended the car park said Mr Alexander had been dead for a long period when he was discovered.

His cause of death was recorded as asphyxiation.

Also found in the car was a note pad on which Mr Alexander had written down messages to his family.

Deputy Coroner Graham Danbury said the notes indicated that Mr Alexander had carefully planned out his suicide and gone on a “dry run” the day before.

He read out a passage were Mr Alexander explained why he had decided to take his life.

The note said: “I realise that, on balance, things are better if I am not there. That doesn’t mean I don’t have people who love me and don’t need me.

“I am trapped in a bad place I can’t get out of.”

Following the statements from the witnesses Mr Danbury recorded a verdict of suicide.

He said: “I am satisfied that [Mr Alexander] knew what he was doing and that he was ending his life.

“I am also satisfied that he was significantly affected by a combination of anxiety and depression, and which so overwhelmed him he reached the point where he felt there was no value to his life and that it was in everyone’s interest that he terminated it.

After Mr Alexander’s death his sister, Morag Wilshere, said: “The black fog of depression meant he could not see what a great person he was.

“He was such a witty man and over and over again people comment on what a gentleman he was.

If you are having suicidal thoughts and feelings and want to talk, you can telephone Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org> or find a local branch at www.samaritans.org>