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Daily Record
Daily Record
World
Fahad Tariq & Chloe Burrell

'Devoted' young dad found dead in former partner's back garden

A 'devoted' young father was tragically found dead by his former partner in her back garden.

The body of Matthew Clarke, 30, was discovered at approximately 9.45am on February 6.

An inquest has now formally been opened into his death, Stoke-on-Trent Live writes.

It heard how Matthew, known as Matt, had been drinking in Leek, Staffordshire, the night before the tragedy.

Assistant coroner for Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, Sukhdev Garcha, said: “On the evening of February 5 he went into Leek to go drinking. His former partner and others left and he followed them before walking away.

“She went home. She went to bed at 4am and she heard knocking. The deceased had been trying to gain access. She ignored him. There was no further noise.

Matthew Clarke (Stoke-on-Trent Live)

“At 9.20am she got up and looked into her back window and saw Matthew. He was deceased, he was lying on the ground.

“The death was unnatural and therefore an inquest must take place.”

The inquest has been adjourned and will resume on March 13.

In his death notice, Matthew was described as the 'precious son of Steve and Debbie, treasured brother of Dan and sister in law Shannon and devoted daddy of Tyler and Jaxon'.

It added: "Husband of Elisha and a much loved grandson, nephew, cousin and uncle. Matt will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by all his loving family and many friends."

His funeral took place at Carmountside Crematorium yesterday (March 2) with mourners asked to wear bright and colourful clothes.

Donations in Matt's memory went to The Aching Arms Charity.

Need help?

The Samaritans : 116 123. Website: www.samaritans.org . Email: jo@samaritans.org

Offer a 24-hour confidential helpline. You can also contact them by text or email.

NHS 111 Service : 111. Website: www.nhs.uk .

Call the NHS 111 service if you urgently require medical help or advice. The service is availabe 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

Mental Health Access Team : 0300 123 0907

The single point of contact and access for all North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust services. The Access Team provides 24/7 cover for all mental health and learning disability services across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire.

Mind Infoline : 0300 123 3393. Website: www.mind.org.uk . Email: info@mind.org.uk. Text: 86463

Information on a range of mental health problems and support. Lines are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays).

HOPELineUK : 0800 068 41 41

A specialist telephone service staffed by trained professionals at PAPYRUS who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to children, teenagers, young adults aged up to 35 and anyone concerned about a young person. Opening hours are 10am to 10pm, Mondays to Fridays, 2pm to 5pm, weekends and bank holidays.

NSPCC Childline : 0800 1111. Website: www.childline.org.uk

Children’s charity offering support and carrying out research into mental illness.

SANE : 0845 767 8000. Website: www.sane.org.uk . Email: sanemail@sane.org.uk

Out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. Open every day from 6pm to 11pm.

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