Suicide businessman had £2m debts

A businessman who shot himself dead at his Midlands home was more than £2 million in debt and had been threatened over the money he owed, an inquest has heard.

Aldridge property developer Anthony William Brooks, who was 49, was found by his daughter with a single gunshot wound to his head on May 3 last year.

Sergeant Rob Bastin of Walsall CID told Black Country coroner Robin Balmain at an inquest into Mr Brooks’ death that there was no evidence of foul play.

Giving evidence at yesterday’s hearing, he said Mr Brooks had shot himself with an unlicensed converted Russian tear gas pistol which had been modified to use bullets. He said investigations had shown the weapon had not been used for criminal activity.

“I’ve liaised with the solicitor acting for Mr Brooks’ estate and the information she provided indicates that there were financial problems,” Sgt Bastin added.

He told the hearing Mr Brooks, who bought and sold property, was more than £2 million in debt.

A post mortem report showed Mr Brooks had died from a gunshot wound to the right side of his head.An overdose level of paracetamol was found in his blood, but it was not enough to kill him. Acting Sgt Jonathan Sandiford, formerly of Walsall CID and now of Staffordshire Police, told the hearing Mr Brooks’ body was found by his daughter Tanya in her self-contained flat at their home in Longwood Road.

The discovery followed a frantic search of the property.

His wife Teresa had called friends to help search for him after she returned home to find a letter addressed to her.

Mr Brooks’ father, whose name was not revealed at the inquest, told the hearing at Walsall Manor Hospital: “I believe he was threatened regarding finances, but that’s all I know.

“In 2006 he told me he’d had a very good year. Then over a period of six months something happened and things deteriorated very quickly.”

Mr Balmain told the inquest the businessman left letters for his family and friends.

“Mr Brooks clearly shot himself at home and must have been quite desperate to do that,” he said.

“There is clear evidence in the form of notes in what he intended to do. What lay behind it was very substantial debts.

“I am going to record a verdict that he killed himself,” Mr Balmain added.

The coroner also ordered the destruction of the pistol.