MYSTERY OVER CONGLETON MAN FOUND HANGED IN GAWSWORTH

Mystery over man found hanged in Gawsworth.

Mark Cartledge sent a text message to his father telling him he had `let him down` before taking his own life, an inquest heard.

The 30-year-old, of Astbury Street, Congleton, was found dead in woodland on April 3.

His dad Ian Cartledge told a hearing at Macclesfield Town Hall about the text message he received from his son the day before.

It read: “I always tried so hard but I always ended up letting you down. Sorry I couldn`t make you proud of me.”

Coroner, alan Moore, was told Mark had received treatment for drug addiction in the past, and toxicological reports showed he had taken heroin and cocaine prior to his death.

Mr Cartledge, of Crayford Avenue, Congleton, said he had bought home testing kits to help his son kick his habit.
He said: “Mark had received treatment for drug addiction for heroin a few years ago. I knew he was taking drugs.

“He started off taking cannabis then moved on to heroin. We, as a family, did everything we could to support him and help him kick his habit.

“We even bought our own testing kits to test him on the odd occasion but he was very clever and knew how long it would stay in his urine. He was able to pull the wool over my eyes.

“Looking back, in the last three months before his death, there was something not quite right with him.

“He was good with his hands and he liked putting up shelves but when we moved he didn`t do anything like that.

“I should have picked up on that but I didn`t. I should have seen it but he was a quiet lad who liked his own company.”

The inquest heard Mark was found hanged near Woodhouse End Road, in Gawsworth.

Police investigating his death said there had been rumours he was dealing drugs, but no evidence of this was found.

Detective Sergeant Robert Balfour said: “It was mentioned that Mark could have been involved in drug dealing in Liverpool.

“We took Mark`s mobile phone which was in his car and investigated those rumours but there was no indication from the police investigation that he was involved in that.”

The Coroner concluded that Mark had committed suicide with hanging being the cause of death. He said: “We are left wondering why Mark took his own life and I am afraid this is something the inquest is unable to answer.”

Paying tribute to his son, who had worked as a driver, Mr Cartledge said: “He was a lovely lad who would do anything for you.

“He loved animals and we have had every kind at home including chinchillas, snakes and iguanas. He even built his own aviary and bred birds.

“He was a good lad who was easily led by other and always seemed to make friends with the wrong people. I was proud of him.”