Eastbourne woman killed herself with helium gas, inquest hears (From The Argus)

Eastbourne woman killed herself with helium gas, inquest hears

5:39pm Tuesday 8th December 2009

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A 54-year-old woman afflicted by years of chronic pain gassed herself using helium canisters after being left helpless by her condition, an inquest heard today.

Susan Dyason, 54, grew frustrated at being undiagnosed for the increasingly unbearable aches and pains in her back, legs, shoulders and neck, as well as suffering muscle wastage.

Despite seeing specialist doctors, being prescribed pain killers and trying orthopaedic mattresses and hydrotherapy sessions, nothing seemed to properly alleviate her symptoms.

An inquest in Eastbourne, East Sussex, heard that three years before her death Mrs Dyason, who had previously worked as a sales adviser, tried to commit suicide through an overdose of pills.

Her daughter, Louise Dyason, said that after she failed, her mother said she would try again. After spending two weeks in hospital, she was discharged but was not detained under the Mental Health Act.

In February this year, Mrs Dyason's husband, Martin, whom she was estranged from but lived with in Eastbourne, returned home from work to find a note taped to her bedroom door, reading: "I'm sorry you've come back to this."

In a statement, he said he opened the door to find her sitting by two gas cylinders. Pathologist Dr Keith Ramesar said a post-mortem examination found she died from inhalation of helium.

Also found was a book marked at a page featuring a diagram on how to commit suicide using helium canisters and directions for her family on what to do after she had died.

Mrs Dyason's daughter said in her statement: "I believe my mum took her own life because she had tried to do so before and she said she would do so again.

"There had been no improvement in her quality of life and she was in pain. I think she was tired of the pain which was becoming increasingly unbearable for her."

Detective Inspector James Pateman, of Sussex Police, said he was satisfied there was no third party involvement in her death.

Recording a verdict of suicide, deputy East Sussex coroner Joanna Pratt said: "This is a very sad set of circumstances.

"Despite the love and support from her friends and family, she made detailed plans to end her life. I'm satisfied that she intended to take her own life."

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