An inquest revealed that Mike Ray, 33, struggled with depression and substance abuse before his tragic death in Newton Abbot after a night out.
Newton Abbot: An inquest has been held for Mike Ray, a beloved 33-year-old. He ended his life after a night out, leaving friends and family heartbroken.
Mike was found in a wooded area on October 30, 2022. His inquest took place on January 30, 2025, at Exeter Coroners Court.
He had battled depression since 2019 and struggled with alcohol and cocaine. His GP noted he had dark thoughts but only when sober.
Despite being referred to mental health services, Mike hadn’t engaged with them in the months before his death.
His sister, Toya, last saw him at The Swan Inn. She described him as upset and angry that night.
Toya mentioned that Mike used alcohol to cope with his feelings. He was already drunk when she arrived, and they talked for an hour.
She said he felt heartbroken over his ex-girlfriend and turned to drugs and alcohol to escape his pain.
Mike was known for giving advice to others but struggled to follow it himself. When he was fit and sober, he felt better.
However, setbacks led him to binge drinking. He seemed happy on the outside but hid his true feelings.
Toya felt his death was unexpected, despite his past attempts. She wished he knew how much he was loved.
His friend Amy also saw him that night. She noted he was upset and believed he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Amy recalled he left a pub without saying goodbye, which was unusual for him. She never thought he would harm himself.
Mike’s death was ruled a drug-related death. Toxicology tests showed high levels of alcohol and cocaine.
Assistant coroner Deborah Archer described Mike as intelligent and kind. He struggled with mental health issues for a long time.
The DevonLive Shatter the Silence campaign encourages people to talk about their struggles. It aims to reduce suicide rates in Devon.
They want to highlight the importance of communication and provide resources for those in need.
Support services like Samaritans and TalkWorks are available for anyone struggling with mental health issues.
Ms. Archer concluded that Mike’s death was a tragic result of his substance use that night.
