Tragic man left Spotify playlist for his funeral and apologetic note

An inquest in Bolton heard how 30-year-old Andrew Noble researched a rural location at Rivington, a field 300 metres from a track leading from the rear of Rivington and Blackrod High School, where he hung himself from a tree on September 8 last year.

Days earlier the father-of-one had contacted several people requesting their email addresses and after his body had been found, messages from him were delivered. They contained a 120 page document in which he explained his reasons for killing himself and arrangements for his funeral.

Area coroner Prof Alan Walsh heard how Mr Noble, of Chorley Street, Bolton, had only been discharged from a psychiatric unit at North Manchester Hospital five days before his death and gave the impression to healthcare workers that he was feeling more positive after bouts of depression.

But his former partner, Sarah Coombes and his sister, Emma Noble, told the inquest that they believe Mr Noble, who was highly intelligent and determined, had decided how he was going to die days before his death and managed to conceal his thoughts from others.

“There is very little that could get Andrew out of that mindset at that stage,” said Ms Coombes.

The court heard that Mr Noble was clever and had a first class honours degree in education from the University of Bolton.

But he was also diagnosed as autistic with obsessive compulsive disorder and suffered recurring bouts of depression which led Ms Coombes, his partner of 13 years and mother of his son, to have to hide medication and items he could harm himself with.

The pressure of having to cope with his mental illness caused them to separate and Mr Noble, who was described as lonely and isolated, would often go to stay with his sister and her family in Wales.

Prof Walsh heard that Mr Noble had repeatedly spoken of wanting to take his own life and on July 2 last year he was admitted to hospital following an overdose of prescribed medication.

Then, on August 27 he was readmitted to hospital after police found him walking near Beachy Head cliffs in Sussex, a location known for suicide attempts.

He was assessed as being well enough to return home on September 3, with plans put in place to get him help with his autism and psychological therapy.

But at 6pm on September 8 walker Edward Johnson came across Mr Noble’s body in a field near Higher Knoll Farm, Rivington and paramedics declared him dead at the scene.

A small amount of alcohol was in his system as well as therapeutic amounts of medication and a post mortem concluded he died from hanging.

“In his right jeans pocket was a note which was apologising to the person who found him and to the emergency services. It talked about his home address and that the door would be open and what we would find there,” said DI Eugene Swift, from Lancashire police. who attended the scene.

A search of his phone revealed a Google Maps screenshot of his final location and a photograph of himself taken at 12.10pm that day along with a Spotify playlist titled “Funeral Songs”.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Prof Walsh said Mr Noble had been “articulate and meticulous in his planning”.

Her added: “The evidence before me is extremely sad. Andrew Michael Noble was 30 years of age at the time of his death.

“He suffered with autism, he suffered with depression but he was extremely intelligent and he showed that intelligence by gaining a First Class Honours degree.

“I believe he would have been a good teacher had he pursued his academic achievements into the teaching profession.

“I just find it an enormous tragedy.”

Speaking after the inquest Miss Coombes described Mr Noble as “well-loved”.

“He will be missed very much by his son,” she added.

Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year, providing a safe place to talk for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Call 116 123 (this number is free to call and will not appear on your phone bill), 01204 521200 or email jo@samaritans.org