A FORMER vicar cut his wrists and hanged himself in his garage just months after retiring, an inquest was told.

Trevor Keightley was discovered dead by wife Mary in the garage of their home at Summer Lane, Wombwell, on May 27.

An inquest was told Mr Keightley had been wracked by guilt relating to ‘a matter concerning the church’ years ago, but the full reasons behind this were not disclosed at the hearing.

However, PC Angie Jenkinson told the inquest, held at Sheffield Medico-Legal Centre, that there was no cause for police enquiry and it was not related in any way to criminality.

Mr Keightley, 63, had been vicar of St Thomas and St James’ Church, Worsbrough Dale and St Luke’s in Worsbrough Common from 2007 until his retirement last September.

PC Jenkinson responded to Mr Keightley’s death.

She said a note, written by Mr Keightley, had been left on the breakfast table.

PC Jenkinson said: “It made reference to the reasons why he was doing this and the guilt he felt. He was sorry he could no longer live with the guilt he felt, in relation to something eight or nine years ago to do with the church. But I believe having spoken to Mary it was unprecedented.

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“I believe he meant to do what he had done on the basis of having made one attempt and then carrying on to do another.”

Mr Keightley’s wife of 36 years, Mary, was present at the inquest alongside son Philip.

Mary said her husband was a ‘perfectionist’ and the couple had been looking forward to a holiday in Scotland together the week after his death.

Mary said: “He had quite a happy day the day before and gave no indication he was going to do that the following morning.

“He had retired just before Christmas and we bought the bungalow and got it just as we wanted it with a lovely garden. We had just had our first grandchildren, twins, on Christmas Eve and he was so proud of them.

“He loved his garden and enjoyed music, but really he was a family man who adored both his boys and was so proud of his grandchildren and two lovely daughters-in-law.

“He was just a lovely, lovely man. I don’t think the day before he had been planning it because he was out in the garden talking about what he wanted to do with the planting.”

Assistant coroner Abigail Combes confirmed the medical cause of death to be hanging and concluded a verdict of suicide.

Ms Combes said: “I have come to the conclusion of suicide. No one could have seen it coming as he was very happy the day before. From everything I have heard and read he was obviously very well loved and loved you too.

“For whatever reason on the day of his death it got too much and I don’t think anyone could have expected it. He obviously led a very happy career but probably more than that, enjoyed being at home with you and seeing the grandchildren.

“I am really sorry for your loss and offer my sincerest condolences.”