A man struggling with his mental health sent a final text to police before taking his own life on a rural track in Hebden Bridge.
Jennon Freeman, 31, was described as being ‘incredibly troubled’ shortly before he was found dead on a track near Hebden Bridge Golf Club on September 16, 2024. An inquest was told that Jennon was on police bail at the time of his death and the bail conditions prevented him from seeing his daughter, which had caused him distress. The nature of the police investigation was not disclosed at the inquest hearing on Tuesday, December 31.
In a statement, his mum, Charlotte, blamed Lancashire Police bail conditions for her son’s anguish, saying: “The bail conditions imposed by police that prevented him from seeing his daughter was the reason he could not bear his life.”
She said her son’s marriage had broken down and he found it ‘intolerable’ that he had no contact with his daughter. Jennon’s parents said they tried to ‘check in’ with their son as he was away from his family. “He said he was fine,” said Charlotte. “We knew he was terrified.”
On the final day of his life, Jennon had found it ‘extremely hard’ and he could no longer keep the pain hidden, said Charlotte. She said her son had changed his will a month before his death which she believed indicated his intentions.
The inquest heard that Jennon’s body was found by police in the early hours of the morning after he had sent an delayed emergency text to West Yorkshire Police which included details of his location and his intentions. Officers attended the scene and found his body and a suicide note near to a Ford van.
Assistant coroner Laura Fox described Jennon, from Bacup, Lancashire, as a much-loved man who was ‘incredibly troubled’ shortly before his death. She said: “Mr Freeman was on police bail at the time. His mum Charlotte told me that the last day of his life was extremely hard for him. The pain he was in could not be hidden.”
The coroner said Jennon had “felt that the only way to deal with matters and end the pain was to take his own life.”
The coroner recorded a suicide verdict, describing what Jennon had done to himself as a ‘very definite act’ that involved preparation and premeditation. She offered her condolences to Jennon’s family and friends who were in court, telling them: “I’m really so very sorry for your loss.
“Think of the good times – I am sure you have many.”
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