Rowley Regis man took his own life after losing job

Russell Baker had been looking for work for around a month since losing his job as a machine operator at a local firm in December 2015.

Mr Baker, who was in his 50s, and lived in Spring Avenue, Rowley Regis, told his wife Paula that he was planning to hand deliver his CV to local businesses when he left the house on January 5 this year.

He parked his Land Rover at Warren Hall Park in Sandwell at 12.45pm and walked around the area.

After inquiring as to whether there were any employment opportunities, it is believed that he returned to his car and then took his own life.

He was reported missing by his wife later that day, with police officers conducting an extensive overnight search in the area.

He was a found a day later on January 6, the inquest on Thursday heard.

Police located Mr Russell close to his car by tracking the location of his mobile phone.

Pc Hill, from Tipton Police Station, discovered his body in some undergrowth at Warren Hall Park.

Mr Baker was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was later identified by his wife.

His family reported that he had told them he was feeling depressed and suicidal after he was made redundant from his job.

The firm that Mr Baker worked for until December 2015 was not revealed during the inquest. A post-mortem carried out by pathologist Dr Suhail Muzaffar concluded that Mr Baker died from asphyxiation due to suicidal strangulation.

Mr Baker's family were invited to attend the inquest but declined. The inquest took place at Smethwick Council House.

Senior coroner for the Black Country, Zafar Siddique, concluded that Mr Baker took his own life and gave a verdict of suicide.

Mr Siddique said: "I would like to pass my heartfelt condolences onto the family and friends of Mr Russell Baker at this difficult time."

Mrs Baker declined to comment.