Inquest into the death of man who died at Farndon Marina concluded today at Nottingham City Council
An inquest into the death of a ‘lovable rogue’ father of two has concluded today (Wednesday, November 27).
David Mark Wheatcroft, 36, died on January 14, 2024, at the North End of Farndon Marina.
An inquest into his death was opened at Nottingham City Council by assistant coroner Amanda Bewley in April this year, where evidence was gathered by DC Matthew Fagan of Nottinghamshire Police.
The inquest heard that he died of exsanguination after causing a deep laceration to his neck, an action which is likely to be associated with the acute cocaine toxicity which was found through the toxicology reports.
It was heard that David exchanged messages with his partner, who he shared a son and relationship with until the previous Wednesday (January 10) after the two had argued.
At 6.19pm on Sunday (January 14), David sent a WhatsApp video to his partner which caused her to be concerned about David’s safety.
Shortly after, they shared a video call where she saw he was holding a drawing that their son had made.
In interviews with the police, his partner said that she saw David was struggling to breathe and she called Lincolnshire Police as she became concerned.
Nottinghamshire Police located his vehicle in the Farndon area, and a witness, who was fishing in the Farndon Marina found him collapsed, and ran to a pub nearby to ask for help and call an ambulance.
People came out from the pub to help and an off-duty paramedic performed CPR. Emergency services attended the scene at 6.38pm, but David was pronounced dead at 7.44pm.
David was described by his family as a ‘lovable rogue’ who loved his two children, and enjoyed partying, going out with his friend, and watching football.
He was a hard-working carpet fitter who started his own business in 2019, which suffered after the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a child, he was diagnosed with ADHD, which he always refused to take medication for, causing him to be a ‘handful’ as a child and teenager, and was known for having problems with alcohol and drugs.
“He was one of [those] people that were troubled inside, but would put on a mask and always be smiling,” his mother Sarah Wheatcroft said at the inquest.
David was said to have plans for the future as he told his partner over text on the day of his death that he was planning to sell his van and either start a new business or invest in stocks.
David’s family, who he was said to be close with, saw him on Saturday, January 13, and said that he seemed fine, and his brother Danny said that he never saw anything that would raise his concerns.
“He’d always come to us but this time he didn’t,” Danny said.
The coroner concluded David’s inquest with a narrative verdict, explaining that he died after exsanguination as a result of a deep neck laceration that was likely to be linked with the use of cocaine as that increases risky behaviour.
“I don’t know if he intended to [take his own life] and I don’t know if this was a cry for help,” said Mrs Amanda Bowley.
The Samaritans offer a free 24/7 helpline at 116 123, providing round-the-clock support. You can also reach them by email at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org for local branch details. Call 999 in an emergency.
