Stonemason Murray Simon Brooks took his own life in Matley car park in Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, inquest hears

A STONEMASON who had become anxious about debts was found hanged at a New Forest car park, an inquest heard.

Murray Simon Brooks (57) from Eastleigh “could see no way out”, coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp ruled at a hearing into his death.

Winchester Coroners’ Court heard how Mr Brooks, who had his own business digging graves and laying headstones, as well as occasionally driving his hearse for funerals, went missing on 9th February last year.

He was found by police after they tracked his vehicle to Matley car park in Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst.

The inquest heard Mr Brooks had lost a large contract supplying headstones, and was more than £20,000 in debt.

The inquest heard there were no suspicious circumstances into his death. A post-mortem confirmed his death as hanging.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Ms Rhodes-Kemp added: “He had money worries. He was in a hole and could not see a way out.”

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