A 'KIND-HEARTED' businessman killed himself at his warehouse, an inquest found.

James Mark Kayley, managing director of Technology Solutions in Ashgrove House, Ash Grove, Rawtenstall, was found hanged there in a warehouse by his business partner Steven Parry, on Sunday, October 7.

James Newman, coroner for Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen, ruled Mr Kayley’s death was as a result of suicide.

A hearing in Burnley heard Mr Kayley, of Hud Hey Road, Haslingden, had been struggling with anxiety and depression and had taken medication for it in the run-up to his death.

The inquest heard that a note from Mr Kayley saying ‘I am sorry’ was found in an office area near where he was found.

A tribute page set up for the 51-year-old, known as ‘Mark’, described him as a selfless and kind-hearted partner, father, brother, son and friend.

The page added: “His endless generosity and warm, approachable nature will never be forgotten.”

The inquest heard from Julie Howson, Mr Kayley’s partner, who said he had not been the same and had been seeing things in a negative way.

She had grown concerned on the day of his death, after he told her he was going to work.

After contacting him to check if he was okay, Ms Howson was unable to get through to Mr Kayley and decided to drive to his work.

But after finding his car parked outside and the premises locked, she contacted Mr Parry who went to his work.

In a statement, Ms Howson said: “Steve arrived with the keys and entered the building on his own. He then found Mark inside.”

Dr Gagan Thind, who conducted a post-mortem examination, said the medical cause of death was asphyxia by hanging.

The inquest also heard from Detective Inspector Tom Edmondson who attended the scene.

He said: “A note saying ‘I am sorry’ was found in an adjacent office area from the warehouse.

“CCTV footage showed Mr Kayley writing the note.”

Recording his conclusion, coroner James Newman, said: “Mr Kayley died of asphyxia by hanging.

“He was found deceased having suspended himself by a ligature.”