MYSTERY surrounds the death of a 'bright' hospital doctor who suffered from severe depression and alcoholism.
An inquest into the death of Christopher Robinson heard that stress and the pressure of work was probably the cause of his depression.
An open verdict was recorded by coroner Nicholas Rheinberg after a post mortem was inconclusive regards to the cause of death.
Dr Robinson was found dead in his flat in Percyvale Street, Macclesfield, on June 13 last year.
An inquest held at Macclesfield Town Hall heard Dr Robinson, who was 43 when he died, had received treatment for depression and alcohol addiction over a long period of time, even spending time in a special unit in America. The inquest also heard that Dr Robinson was admitted to Macclesfield Hospital's Millbrook Unit in April 2002 and had an ongoing problem with the misuse of alcohol.
His father Walter, 83, who lives in Prestbury, said his son had trained as a doctor at Liverpool University but he changed after 1981.
"He wasn't the boy that he was before he went to university. Eventually we found out it was depression," said Mr Robinson.
"He was a very bright boy and he even did some research for the British Medical Association but the depression made him feel he wasn't adequate."
Mr Robinson said he last saw his son on June 5 when he discharged himself from hospital against medical advice.
"We fixed him up with a flat and were trying to get him back into society," he said.
Police found Dr Robinson's body after they were called to check on him when he missed an outpatients appointment.
They also found two empty vodka bottles and empty boxes of prescription drugs.
Mr Rheinberg told Mr Robinson: "We have something of a mystery. It hasn't proved possible to say definitely what led to your son's death."
Mr Robinson said: "I don't think he would have taken an overdose. The depression was something that he tried over the years to solve but in the end he didn't solve it."
Mr Rheinberg said: "It's highly improbable that a large amount of alcohol was consumed before death even though two bottles of vodka were found."
Dr Alan Williams, a consultant pathologist at Macclesfield Hospital, said his findings were limited and he could not rule out natural causes such as pneumonia or cardiac arrhythmia. The toxicological report was also inconclusive.
Mr Rheinberg said: "We can't really come to any conclusion. But over the years he became profoundly depressed triggered by stress and hard work."
Verdict: Open.
Pam Walker
