A talented young artist bullied as teenager because he was gay took his own life a few days before Christmas, an inquest has heard.
William Toby Green was discovered in a park by police on December 12 last year after concerns had been raised about his welfare.
He was taken to hospital after paramedics arrived but died from his injuries the next day, Wales Online report.
The 26-year-old, from Sketty near Swansea, Wales, had been tortured growing up over his sexuality. The hearing into his death heard he had phoned his ex-partner and vowed to take his own life shortly before he was found by officers.
They were told that tragic Mr Green was born and raised in Swansea and had attended primary school and secondary school in the city, before moving to Cardiff to study at university.
Mr Green was described in the inquest as having a "caring nature" and having always been "supportive" of his friends.
His childhood had been a mostly happy one, but life at comprehensive school had been "very difficult" as he had been bullied - something he kept quiet from his family until he was a university student as he "didn't want his family to worry". The reason for his bullying was said to be due to his sexuality.
Mr Green had always been "artistic," the inquest heard, and after secondary school he studied a BTEC in Art and Design at Gower College, achieving a Distinction in 2013. After this, he went on to study a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
He settled in Cardiff after university and began working at a Wagamama's restaurant there and in his free-time he loved drawing, going on holidays with his family, and spending time with his then-boyfriend Ashley Kelleway.
Their relationship sadly ended in 2020 and Mr Green soon moved back to Swansea, and transferred from the Wagamama's restaurant in Cardiff to the Wagamama's restaurant in Bridgend for work.
After experiencing panic attacks after the breakdown of his relationship, Mr Green was put on medication by his GP, but he did try to wean himself off this. Unfortunately, around the same time, he slipped at his workplace and broke his hand, an injury which left him unable to draw, something he struggled not being able to do, the hearing was told.
On December 10, 2021 Mr Green and Mr Kelleway were spending time together at Mr Green's home but had an argument.
They were shouting at each other, the hearing was told, and later on in the evening Mr Green called his father and told him that they'd had a "fight" that evening, so he'd left the house. Mr Green later had a "big" panic attack whilst his father was getting his car to take him home, and later had further panic attacks.
The following day, Mr Green enjoyed a day out with his family before spending some time with a female friend. The inquest heard his friend did not approve of Mr Green's relationship with Mr Kelleway and thought Mr Green had seemed "very down and depressed" - but had given no mention of wanting to take his own life.
Later that evening, Mr Green made a phone call to Mr Kelleway and told him he intended to take his own life that evening.
Mr Kelleway immediately phoned Mr Green's father and informed police of their conversation. Officers were promptly sent to Singleton Park to find Mr Green. PC Christian Miles told the inquest that he and colleagues went to the park and a police helicopter and drone were also requested, though they weren't used due to the bad weather conditions.
While searching the park, PC Miles caught sight of what appeared to be a man standing beside a tree. On approach, he realised the man, later identified as Mr Green, was hanging.
He was taken to Morriston Hospital, where he died the following day of his injuries. Asked by acting senior coroner Colin Phillips if there was any evidence of any third party involvement, PC Miles told the inquest there was "no evidence".
Concluding the inquest, coroner Phillips summarised that Mr Green was a "caring person" and was "artistic" but had been in a "volatile" relationship with a partner.
He accepted Dr William's findings that the medical cause of death was hanging and added that Mr Green had acted with the intention of taking his own life, after threatening that he would do so.
He concluded that Mr Green died by suicide and expressed his condolences to his family.
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