Suicide victim ordered cyanide from internet

A POLICE investigation has been launched into how a man managed to obtain cyanide from the internet in order to kill himself.

Andrew Denton, 49, spent years battling depression and had made several attempts to take his own life.

On New Year's Eve he was found dead at his east Hull home by his niece, Gail Coates.

Remnants of potassium cyanide were discovered in his home and a toxicology report confirmed he died from cyanide poisoning.

Shortly after his death, Humberside Police launched an inquiry into how he obtained the poison.

At the inquest into Mr Denton's death, DC Stuart Quinn said: "We are investigating the senders of the potassium cyanide.

"We have worked with the Force Intelligence Bureau, while Homeland Security in the US is also investigating, as it was an American website.

"The investigation is ongoing to find out who the senders are so we can help safeguard others in the future."

The family of Mr Denton declined to comment after the inquest but said they welcomed the investigation.

Mr Denton was discovered by Miss Coates at his home in Holland Street, off Holderness Road, on December 31.

The coroner's court heard how Mr Denton struggled to cope with the death of his mum in 1988.

In a statement read out in court, Miss Coates said Mr Denton was "normal but had issues".

He left school and joined the Army but lacked communication skills and quit.

Mr Denton trained to be a welder but he drifted in and out of employment.

Shortly after his mum's death, he tried to gas himself but failed.

He later tried to hang himself but the ligature snapped. He also overdosed on a couple of occasions.

When his partner of almost ten years died in July last year, Mr Denton was hugely affected.

He tried to take his life once more in a hotel room by dousing sheets in a nicotine solution but this failed.

He even attempted water intoxication by drinking several litres of water but, again, the attempt failed. In September, he went missing, which prompted an appeal for his safe return in the media.

He later called Miss Coates to say he had been in Coventry and was on a bus to Gloucester, having overdosed.

He recovered and returned to Hull.

He spent time at the Humber NHS Foundation Trust Newbridges unit in Hull and was assigned a community psychiatric nurse.

Despite the support of his family and healthcare professionals, Mr Denton struggled to cope with the festive period and took his own life.

He left a note for his sister Pauline and instructions for looking after his dogs.

Coroner Rosemary Baxter delivered a verdict of suicide.

She said: "Taking into account the deceased's troubled history and the many attempts he has made his life and the notes he left for his family, I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt his intention was to commit suicide."