Andrew Wood, 68, lost his “best friend” and partner Cynthia and was found dead in his St Ives home. Before his death, Mr Wood had been told he would have to leave the home they shared for decades as it was a council property in Cynthia’s name.
During the inquest held at Cornwall’s Coroners Court in Truro on Tuesday, July 11, it was revealed that Mr Wood had never expressed any desire to end his life prior to the loss of his partner. He was discovered dead at their home on January 5, 2023, just weeks after Cynthia’s death.
It was evident Andrew had been struggling to cope with the profound loss and the news he would need to leave their cherished home.
Cynthia’s daughter, Sonia Jones, shared Andrew felt he had nothing left to live for, as Cynthia was “his world”. She described their relationship as one that spanned 46 years and spoke of how Andrew doted on her mother, considering her his best friend.
Andrew, affectionately known as Andy to his friends and family, was born in Glasgow and grew up in a large family.
In 1977, he made the decision to move to Cornwall to be with Cynthia. Throughout his life, he worked in various roles, including as a bus conductor, bricklayer, and in different factories. He was known for his “bright” personality and “generous” nature.
Ms Jones revealed her mother passed away in December of the previous year after being admitted to the hospital due to a long-term health condition. Andrew had expected her to return home, but sadly, she never did.
Following Cynthia’s death, Andrew appeared lost and depressed. He was a private individual who kept to himself, with Cynthia being the only person in his life. While he had no history of mental health issues, he began experiencing anxiety after her passing.
Ms Jones said: “Her death left Andy feeling devastated. My mother and Andy had been in a relationship for 46 years and lived together in St Ives.”
She went on to explain that Andy was also her mother’s carer saying: “He did everything for my mother and he doted on her. She was his world and he loved her with all of his heart. When my mother died Andy was left heartbroken and said she was the best person he’d ever met and she was his one and only best friend.”
Ms Jones said she believed Mr Wood could not bear the thought of living without her mother. She said: “I think he felt like he had nothing to live for and was told by housing that he needed to move out of his home because it was in my mother’s name.
“I think the idea of him moving everything he knew caused him to feel desperate and he couldn’t face starting a new life for himself.”
Coroner Emma Hillson concluded Andrew’s death was a result of suicide. She determined that he had deliberately and intentionally taken actions to end his own life, with the likely date of his death being January 1, 2023.
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