Suicide OAP slashed wrists, frustrated by his ill health
A MAN in his eighties was so frustrated by his failing health and determined not to become a burden that he cut his wrists and took an overdose, an inquest heard.
Neath Coroner's Court heard that Richard Hier, of Reginald Street, Port Talbot, was found dead by his sister, Eunice Billingham, on February 9 this year.
Ms Billingham said in a statement that her 85-year-old brother had a number of health problems including arthritis. "This condition affected his mobility," she said.
The inquest heard that Mr Hier had falls at home and was unable to get up himself. Ms Billingham said on one occasion her brother fell during the night but waited until the morning to call her. Despite these issues, Ms Billingham said her brother said he did not want to go into a nursing home.
Coroner Philip Rogers recorded a verdict of suicide. He added: "Clearly he (Mr Hier) did not want to become a burden on anyone and he felt his life was becoming increasingly difficult because of his disability."
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by eddie, uplands
Saturday, July 11 2009, 6:04AM
“Cheryl
The Evening Post is WORSE than the News of the World - it sensationalises everything is a scaremongering salacious way.
Why? To sell papers mostly - also it's a rag aimed at relatively uneducated people who like that kind of thing.
Journalists have the morality of rats anyway, but when people aren't buying papers any more they'll do anything to exaggerate everything just to sell more copies.
I only read it online anyway - refuse to let this rag have my money and hope it goes out of business or gets taken over.”
by cheryl howes, market harborough
Friday, July 10 2009, 3:27PM
“As the nieces of this much loved uncle we are disgusted by the way that the so called 'journalist' sensationalised the headlines, by describing this frail elderly gentleman as 'suicide OAP' There was obviously no thought for the feelings of his sister, also in her eighties, who found our uncle, nor the rest of the family who have been deeply shocked and saddened and who will be grieving for a long time to come. Shame on you Evening Post for allowing such tabloid headlines lines worthy of the News of the World!!!!! and yes, he did fight in the war for us and was a brilliant uncle - not just a sensationalised newspaper headline!!!!”
by Heather, Mwmbwls
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 7:54AM
“@ eddie, uplands, thanks for that post. Both empathetic and interesting (honestly). Thanks eddie.”
by eddie, uplands
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 6:26AM
“Agreed Kris.
Heather - Euthanasia already exists UNOFFICIALLY. The morphine give to elderly patients as well as decisions not to revive patients in hospital and to allow them to refuse all food and drink. This happened with two elderly relatives/family friends in the last six months. Make no mistake about it they chose to pass away when they did. They could have struggled on in a care home for a couple of years I am sure, but both were used to their independence and lived alone, so what a humilation that woul dhave been. They were both in their 90s anyway. Best to throw in the towel sometimes really. The quality of life matters more than life itself.
This old man was forced to slash his wrists just to make sure he didn't survive, which is awful. A sympathetic doctor could perhaps have prescribed him strong sleeping pills though... But then, everyone's watching their back these days and no-one wants to get struck off or face relatives' legal action - all encouraged by bloodsucking lawyers on a percentage of course.
Of course, King George V was, effectively, 'put down' via an overdose of morphine in 1936 so the news of his death would be released in time to make the Sunday papers...”
by Kris, Ystrad
Monday, July 06 2009, 7:24PM
“How sad for this gentleman's family to have to deal with this in such a public manner. If we as a nation legally supported people's right to choose life (or death) then the gent could have talked his feelings through with his family and hopefully have received their support and understanding. However, as things are curently the way they are, he has had to go through this completely alone maybe for fear of the legal implications for anyone who were to have helped him die peacefully and with a little dignity. So now here we are reading about this in the paper - perhaps the laws in this country should begin to reflect the growing number of people who want to be in control of their own path. RIP.”
by Heather, Mwmbwls
Monday, July 06 2009, 5:50PM
“How sad. Isn't there a case for euthanasia?
I guess the trouble is you WOULD get greedy relatives who would EVENTUALLY find a way to kill off wealthy relatives just to inherit the money.”
by eddie, uplands
Monday, July 06 2009, 11:14AM
“I don't blame this man at all and who says he did the wrong thing? In the last 6 months I have been present as two elderly relatives died in hospital, and both of them basically decided that wanted to die, refusing food and drink in their last days and weeks. Why not? Who wants to go into a nursing home, incontinent, rotting away waiting for death? This story is not sad at all really when one thinks about it. Sorry, but it isn't.”
by maddentist, suffering medical narcissism
Monday, July 06 2009, 5:42AM
“Poor man.
But I am sure the medical response from his GP was minimal. Probably had many blood tests and new medication BUT I don't suppose any one actually listened to the man's thoughts about how he felt.
In my experience listening is the last thing on a GP's mind.”
by WELSHMAN, BOSTON
Sunday, July 05 2009, 11:57PM
“PETER NEATH F... YOU ,IT'S AN OLD MAN HE WHENT TO WAR FOR YOU, HOW OLD ARE YOU ? HE GIVE UP SO HE WOULD NOT BE A BURDEN ON ANY ONE, GOD BLESS HIM, AND YOU ........”
by lisa, swansea
Sunday, July 05 2009, 8:43PM
“@peter how can u be so heartless....so its only famous people who can be mentioned is it?? its a very sad thing to happen to anybody. if you dont want to hear news get off the site!!”