A father of five, who lived in Trowbridge, took his own life after suffering from a back injury and struggling with his mental health, an inquest in Salisbury was told.

Peter Kevin Chivers, 55, known as Pedro, died on Sunday, August 13 last year at his home in Charlotte Court in Trowbridge.

The painter and decorator was found dead in his lounge after he had failed to respond to messages from his family.

An inquest into his death at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner's Court on Wednesday, May 8 heard that police kicked down the door to gain entry to the property.

His sister, Michelle Hancock, said in a statement: “On the 13th of August 2023 I received a call from Peter’s daughter Emma asking for me to check on him as they hadn’t heard from him in a few days.”

The court heard that he had suffered with mental health issues since leaving the Army. His sister said when her brother left the Army he had changed and was a different person.

The inquest was told that Peter had been treated for a back injury in 2022 and 2023.

The court also heard that last year he was seen at the Royal United Hospital in Bath but had refused a mental health referral.

No drugs were found in his system, although the court heard that he had consumed a quantity of alcohol before his death.

Ian Singleton, the area coroner for Wiltshire, said it was “impossible to determine” whether this had affected his state of mind.

Concluding the inquest, the corner ruled the death was a suicide and said it was evident he had intended to take his own life.