A depressed father-of-four who hanged himself in a wooded area of Peterborough was suffering from mental health problems, an inquest heard.
James Cunningham (33), of Glebe Avenue, Orton Waterville, Peterborough, was found hanging from a tree off nearby Cherry Orton Road on April 12 by a passing member of the public.
At an inquest into his death at Peterborough Town Hall, his wife Emma Cunningham, from Crowland, said although it was never diagnosed, she believed he was suffering from bipolar disorder.
She said: “He always had two personalities. He would be fine one minute, then he’d just change. He just wasn’t the same person after a while, the illness had taken over.”
She also expressed her shock at his death, saying: “Although James had threatened to kill himself before, I never thought he would leave his kids.”
The inquest heard he had missed several mental health consultations but Mrs Cunningham said that if he had felt well at the time he would not attend as he did not think he needed help.
Recording his verdict, Peterborough coroner David Heming said he was satisfied Mr Cunningham had intended to take his own life.