Former Reigate Scout leader hanged himself at his Broadfield home, inquest hears

A FORMER Scout leader used his knowledge of knots to hang himself, an inquest has heard.

Anthony Jordan was found hanging from a loft hatch at his Broadfield home, where he lived alone, on March 22,

An inquest into his death was held at Horsham Coroner's Court last Thursday.

The 47-year-old had held various positions within the Scouts since 1983, including that of an Explorer Scout leader for the 30th Reigate Scouts and treasurer of the Surrey Scout Caving Club.

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The inquest heard Mr Jordan's behaviour had changed after questions were raised in 2011 over his qualifications, and about irregularities in the caving club's records.

By the late summer of that year the usually proactive Mr Jordan had stopped responding to e-mails.

He phoned his mother, in December, to tell her he had been diagnosed with depression.

However, she did not hear from him again and he ignored attempts by others to contact him.

On March 21 a missing persons report was filed, after a friend contacted the authorities, concerned he had not been able to get hold of Mr Jordan.

The following day police officers went to Mr Jordan's address in William Morris Way where they forced entry after getting no answer.

They found his body hanging in the upstairs hallway. His telephone call logs had been deleted and his laptop had been wiped.

Coroner Christopher Wilkinson told the inquest that Mr Jordan had used knowledge from his Scouting background to create an "elaborate rig up" from which to hang himself.

He said: "It would seem to me to be a fairly deliberate act.

"I'm satisfied on the evidence that I have that there is no other explanation as to how he came about his death. I will be recording a verdict of suicide."

The Scout Association confirmed Mr Jordan had held various positions within the organisation but declined to comment further.