A Witham man who died after setting fire to himself, had suffered with mental health problems for the previous three years.
Richard Mason, 49, of Epping Way died at the burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford on April 27 after dousing himself in petrol and setting fire to it at his home the previous day.
At Chelmsford Coroners Court on Wednesday, Mr Mason's wife Maxine Mason, who he was separated from, said how his problems had begun three years previously, when the couple parted.
"He seemed to have a personality change when he was getting to his 40s, but I thought then it was an age thing. He was not right after we separated, as he seemed to be suffering from disillusions. He was always quite a volatile person though," she said.
The court heard how over the next few years Mr Mason had thoughts like the earth was going to flood, and how people at a pub he was going to buy were "after him."
Mrs Mason explained how when her husband took the medication prescribed by the doctor for his problems, he was much better, but that the last time she had seen him she became annoyed because it seemed evident that he was not taking his tablets.
Assistant deputy coroner Dr Andrew Reid, heard how Mr Mason, who had 85 per cent burns, had died from shock due to burns.
On hearing the evidence he recorded the verdict that Mr Mason killed himself whilst the balance of his mind was unstable.
He then offered his condolences to the family.
Published Thursday August 22, 2002
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