Grieving builder killed himself in the same way as his best friend after struggling with his suicide
An inquest heard he could not get over the loss of his childhood best friend and had contemplated taking his own life previously
A MAN who struggled to get over the suicide of his childhood friend took his own life in exactly the same way.
Andrew Noman, had the face of his friend and "brother" Jacob Abraham tattooed on his chest after his death and had started to campaign for a charity in his friend's name to raise awareness of male suicide.
But he could not get over the loss of his best friend and killed himself in the same way as Jacob, just months after his death.
Andrew was treated for anxiety and depression after the 24-year-old was found hanged, but tragically nine months later he hanged himself in a park after a night out of drinking and drug taking.
Andrew, 23, had Jacob's name and face tattooed on his chest, and had admitted to his GP and family he had attempted suicide before and thought about self-harming.
His mother, Lisa, told the inquest into Andrew's death at Cardiff Coroner's Court: "Jacob's death had hit Andrew very hard, and he never really got over it.
"I knew he was using cocaine recreationally on the weekends, but I didn't notice any change in his behaviour.
"His drinking increased after Jacob's death but I don't know about the drug use.
"He came home one day crying saying he had attempted suicide and I could see a red mark around his neck.
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"I asked him to go to see doctors to seek help but he wasn't interested."
Andrew had gone to the pub the night before his death with girlfriend Ashleigh Johnson, 23, and afterwards mentioned to her "feeling like jumping off a bridge".
She told the inquest: "I was concerned about him because of what he said in my car. I assumed he had taken cocaine but I didn't see him take any.
"When he took drugs he would become depressed, and he was at his worst when he had a drink."
The court heard that after a night spent in a club drinking and taking cocaine, Andrew sent a friend a message that read: "You'll understand. Look after Ashleigh for me."
A dog walker found Andrew's body just after midday on July 30, in Splott, Cardiff.
Assistant coroner Thomas Atherton told the inquest Andrew was "somewhat disturbed" by the loss of his best friend, and had consumed a "substantial" amount of alcohol and drugs.
He said: "The combination must have had an effect on his state of mind."
He recorded a conclusion of suicide.
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