A former marine and father-of-three who served in Afghanistan and Iraq confided in a friend that he was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) before he took his own life.

Michael Gask, from Hawkhurst, described as a "larger than life" figure, tried to protect his family and didn't speak about the conflicts he had seen during his 14 years in the military, an inquest heard today.

Mr Gask, 43, was found hanged in the woods on the evening of December 15 after a Sunday lunch with family and friends.

During the course of that afternoon, the rugby coach's behaviour altered, and he suddenly walked out of his Cranbrook Road home.

His wife Rebecca and a friend followed but he ran away, and in the dark and wet conditions, they were unable to find him, Det Sgt Marcus Cameron, told the court.

Mrs Gask rang the police at 6.41pm and a search, including a helicopter, was mounted.

Just over an hour later Mr Gask was found in a wooded area off Highgate Hill in Hawkhurst.

Emergency services attempted to revive Mr Gask, but he was pronounced dead at 8.35pm. Tickets to a rugby match were found in his pocket.

Det Sgt Cameron said: "He was well respected within the community and had a strong family and friends network.

"He openly talked to his mates and former colleagues about his time in the military but this was not always the case with his wife and children who he tried to protect."

He had also told a friend he had recently been suffering with PTSD.

When visited by a police officer a few days after her husband's death, Rebecca Gask said he "could have possibly suffered with PTSD, although this was not obvious to her".

"He was well respected within the community and had a strong family and friends network..."

However, in February, during a meeting with police, Mrs Gask "wished to confirm she doesn't truly believe he was suffering with PTSD", Det Sgt Cameron said.

Mrs Gask "strongly believed" her husband was suffering with concussion after a Rugby injury, and he had been showing all the signs of concussion.

Coroner Roger Hatch said Mr Gask's GP had no record of any emotional or mental problems relating to the father.

After serving in the marines, Mr Gask had worked for firearms and ammunition company FN Herstal UK and also coached players at Cranbrook Rugby Club.

At County Hall in Maidstone, Mr Hatch ruled death by suicide.

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