Depression led to man taking his own life

JACOB MILLER

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A BRIGHT and popular young man hanged himself after suffering from depression an inquest heard.

Avid Star Wars fan Jacob Miller (23) was found hanged at his Royton home in April following a relationship breakdown.

Senior coroner for Greater Manchester North, Simon Nelson, held an inquest into Jacob's death at Heywood's Phoenix Centre on Friday.

The former Royton and Crompton School pupil had suffered with eczema all his life and had also been prescribed inhalers for his asthma.

Devastated father Geoff Miller (51), of Penryn Avenue, said eczema could have been a "precursor" to Jacob's depression and that going to university "changed him."

Geoff, who discovered and identified his son's body on April 4, said: "I wish Jacob was still alive. Everybody loved him.

"His biggest passions in life were Star Wars and gaming.

"We had a shared passion for the cinema and watching Formula 1."

From the age of six, Jacob played rugby league for Waterhead Under 18s and later second row for Rochdale.

Sheet metal worker Geoff said: "He was very bright but he didn't particularly enjoy school.

"Before his illness he was a happy-go-lucky, gregarious young man.

"He used to love playing rugby but unfortunately his eczema stopped him because he couldn't get mud in his cuts.

"It wasn't just dry skin - it was terrible - some days he couldn't even get out of bed.

"Maybe that was a precursor.

"He went to Birmingham and it changed him.

"He just went one guy and came back another."

In 2013, two years into his film production and technology course at Birmingham University, Jacob returned to live with his mum Julie Miller (51) and dad.

Coroner Nelson told the inquest that Jacob had tried to self harm at university and after a relationship ended in March said "he might do something stupid."

The family paid for Jacob to see a private counsellor, he had been prescribed anti-depressants and made regular visits to Royton and Crompton Family Practice.

The coroner said: "There was a relationship with a young lady in Loughborough and that relationship subsisted until just before Easter."

On Sunday, April 3, Jacob met with his girlfriend and was "extremely upset" and "very down" that afternoon.

His dad said: "I think he received the finality of that relationship."

Coroner Nelson said in his conclusion: "I have no doubt in my mind that Jacob intended the consequences of his actions.

"He was no longer receiving medication, he was clearly suffering and continued to suffer from a depressive illness."