AN AGORAPHOBIC loner hanged himself in woodland after coming off medication for depression, an inquest heard.
The decomposed body of unemployed Phillip Shedden, 41, was found hanged from a tree in Hartley Woods, in Manor Lane, on November 15 last year, Gravesend Coroner's Court was told.
The single man lived with his mother at Caxton Close, Longfield, and spent most evenings alone in his room watching TV and playing on his games console.
A statement from his mother, Cathleen Shedden, revealed her son would only leave the house after dark when nobody was around.
She said: "He had been depressed for many years and had been on medication but he stopped taking it a year ago. I am shocked and would never have believed he was depressed enough to do this."
Mr Shedden had been missing for weeks before his body was found by police.
A rope around his neck was attached to a tree branch and his bicycle and two empty cans of lager were found nearby.
A post-mortem examination later revealed Mr Shedden had died from asphyxiation.
Coroner Roger Hatch recorded a verdict of suicide at the inquest on January 13.
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