Ex-Leicestershire Police chief, Simon Cole, 55, took his own life while suffering from anxiety and sleepless nights.
Simon Cole (Right)
Simon Cole, 55, retired as Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police in March 2022 His wife Joanne found her husband's body in the garage of their home. Mr Cole had sought mental health support in the time leading up to his death.
The coroner, professor Catherine Mason, heard how Mr Cole's wife, Joanne, found her husband's body in the garage of their home in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, at about 8.30am on March 30. She called 999 and an ambulance arrived but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Cole, was a police officer for 33 years.
Professor Mason recorded a conclusion of death by suicide.
She said: 'It was clear that retirement was a big step for him and he didn't keep that to himself. He acknowledged that and spoke to people about his anxieties about retirement.
'Although it troubled Mr Cole to retire, it was his decision and he'd accessed support. Mr Cole recognised the difficulty he was experiencing with this - his mood, his anxiety and his inability to sleep.
'He said he had never had any thoughts to take his own life and medical practitioners engaging with him were reassured by what he said.'
Mr Cole's family chose not to attend the inquest. Professor Mason recorded her 'sincere condolences' to the family and described Mr Cole's death as a 'huge loss'.
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