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| 'Independent' centenarian killed himself after eyesight worsened | 'Independent' centenarian killed himself after eyesight worsened |
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| A centenarian killed himself when his eyesight deteriorated and he could not use his laptop computer, an inquest has heard. | A centenarian killed himself when his eyesight deteriorated and he could not use his laptop computer, an inquest has heard. |
| Gordon Crisp, 100, had been given the computer after the death of his wife and spent hours watching opera and jazz videos online. But the retired engineer developed macular degeneration, which meant he could no longer use the laptop. | Gordon Crisp, 100, had been given the computer after the death of his wife and spent hours watching opera and jazz videos online. But the retired engineer developed macular degeneration, which meant he could no longer use the laptop. |
| An inquest at Flax Bourton coroner's court heard that the "proud" and "independent" widower was found hanged at his home in Keynsham in Somerset. | An inquest at Flax Bourton coroner's court heard that the "proud" and "independent" widower was found hanged at his home in Keynsham in Somerset. |
| In a statement read to the court, Crisp's daughter Kathleen Llewelyn said her father did not wish to accept help as his condition worsened. | In a statement read to the court, Crisp's daughter Kathleen Llewelyn said her father did not wish to accept help as his condition worsened. |
| She said: "He always wanted to stay in his home and didn't want any carers coming in. I can't think of any reason for his manner of death because he knew we loved him. | She said: "He always wanted to stay in his home and didn't want any carers coming in. I can't think of any reason for his manner of death because he knew we loved him. |
| "He was an amazing person, learning the computer at 95 and had an alert mind." | "He was an amazing person, learning the computer at 95 and had an alert mind." |
| Crisp was discovered by stepson Cameron Hughes on 29 December last year. | Crisp was discovered by stepson Cameron Hughes on 29 December last year. |
| The court heard a statement from Ernst Sholt, Crisp's doctor at West View Surgery, which confirmed he had glaucoma and impaired vision. A postmortem examination found the medical cause of death to be hanging. | The court heard a statement from Ernst Sholt, Crisp's doctor at West View Surgery, which confirmed he had glaucoma and impaired vision. A postmortem examination found the medical cause of death to be hanging. |
| Dr Peter Harrowing, assistant deputy coroner for Avon, ruled that Crisp had taken his own life. No note could be found by police officers at the property, he said. | Dr Peter Harrowing, assistant deputy coroner for Avon, ruled that Crisp had taken his own life. No note could be found by police officers at the property, he said. |
| "We have heard evidence that Crisp's wife of some 32 years died in 2007," he said. | "We have heard evidence that Crisp's wife of some 32 years died in 2007," he said. |
| "His GP said he had some bereavement issues. Hughes said at the time after Crisp's wife had died they bought him a laptop computer. | "His GP said he had some bereavement issues. Hughes said at the time after Crisp's wife had died they bought him a laptop computer. |
| "He was 95 at the time. He was taught how to search the internet. He spent many hours searching the internet and finding videos of opera and jazz, which he liked to watch. | "He was 95 at the time. He was taught how to search the internet. He spent many hours searching the internet and finding videos of opera and jazz, which he liked to watch. |
| "He developed macular degeneration affecting his eyesight which meant he could no longer use the computer that had given him so much enjoyment. At the age of 100 he probably thought he didn't want to be a burden on anyone." | "He developed macular degeneration affecting his eyesight which meant he could no longer use the computer that had given him so much enjoyment. At the age of 100 he probably thought he didn't want to be a burden on anyone." |
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