He spent his life looking after others, but his own pain became too much

A much-loved health worker whose disappearance sparked a huge search took his own life after 'chronic pain' led him to a state of 'desperation', an inquest has heard.

Tony Williamson was described as a 'devoted' and 'caring' dad-of-two and granddad. The 63-year-old vanished from his family home in Trafford a week before Christmas 2023.

After an 'agonising' search operation lasting almost three months, his body was discovered in the River Mersey in Warrington in March this year. A coroner is now to write a report to the Health Secretary after he said Tony's case highlighted concerns regarding a 'lack of communication' between physical and mental health teams 'each working in isolation.'

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Tony worked for the NHS for 37 years as a podiatrist, at Wythenshawe Hospital, and in the local community. The hearing was told he 'always went the extra mile for his patients.'

He had taken early retirement to spend more time with his wife but was still working part-time at his own practice which he had had for over 30 years.

But at the end of 2022, the inquest heard 'things changed for him'. Tony was diagnosed with prostatitis – the medical term for an inflamed prostate. The condition caused him a 'high degree of pelvic pain'.

"It brought about a deterioration in his mental health better described as desperation," Assistant Coroner Adrian Farrow said.

Whilst under investigation by a hospital urology team and later pain management specialists, he began experiencing suicidal thoughts the hearing was told. He was twice admitted to local mental health wards as an inpatient, in September and November 2023, after threatening to harm himself.

After being discharged he was under the care of the Trafford Home Based Treatment Team. His pain was the 'primary driver of his mental health problems' and he was 'in crisis' as he felt 'without hope of relief' Mr Farrow said.

Tony vanished on the morning of December 19 last year. The inquest was told his family were so worried about him that his wife had left the house locked when whilst she briefly popped out. However the hearing was told Tony 'used a key he had secreted' in order to leave.

The family's missing from home report was treated as a Grade I incident, the highest category and where there is considered to be a threat to life, Detective Sergeant Rory Leicester from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) told the inquest.

A police helicopter joined officers, family and friends searching the local area for him. He was captured on CCTV footage walking down Greenway towards Park Road in Timperley at 11.12am.

But despite extensive enquiries and physical searches, which the inquest heard 'continued all the way through the investigation', he could not be found and he wasn't pinpointed on any further footage.

The hearing was told there were numerous reports he had been seen elsewhere in the country, with GMP officers at one point travelling to Nottingham to carry out enquiries, but the reports all turned out to be incorrect.

A month on from his disappearance his family made a pubic appeal for him to come home as they urged peope to come forward with information.

His family 'couldn't have done more' to find him DS Leicester said. Whilst the coroner said the police had 'explored all possible avenues.'

The coroner said it was not possible to say exacty where or when he had entered the water, but that he believed he had entered the Bridgewater Canal or 'a brook close by' and that he did so 'deliberately.' His body 'had been carried to the spot from the place he entered the water' he said.

It was discovered on Sunday, March, 17, this year in the stretch of the River Mersey near Warrington Rowing Club, off Howley Lane in the Cheshire town. Officers deemed he had 'been in the water for some time' the hearing was told. It was concluded there was no third party involvement.

Toxicologal analysis found there were no drugs, other than medication at theraputic levels, in his system and a 'very low level' of alcohol. Pathologist Professor Richard Byers gave his cause of death as dry drowning.

Following a two-day hearing at South Manchester Coroner's Court in Stockport, coroner Mr Farrow recorded a narrative conclusion that Tony 'took his own life whilst experiencing hopelessness whilst under investigation and treatment for pelvic pain.'

The hearing was told Tony and his family felt there was a 'disconnect' between those investigating his physical health problems and the mental health team. "My view is that there is a gap" Mr Farrow said. "There is a real issue in that where you have complex cases such as Tony's, the more information that's available to all practicioners, the more holistic the approach would be.

"It is emblamatic that both Tony and his family felt they were between services and that no one was really taking an overall view. That was their perception and I completely accept that."

Mr Farrow said that he 'could not say that if there had been greater communication and collaboration then his death would have been avoided.' However, he said it was 'possible, even likely' that 'had there been such a holistic view' it would have 'provided reassurance' and 'gone some way to aleviate the desperation he tragically felt.'

He said that the 'absence of any formalised framework' for greater communication 'gives rise a risk of future deaths.' He said he would writing what a Prevention of Future Deaths higlighting his concerns, which would be sent to the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC)

A spokesperson for the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said after the hearing: “We wish to extend our condolences and deepest sympathies to Tony’s family at this incredibly difficult time.

"We are committed to providing the best care possible for our patients and we will be reviewing the Coroner’s findings carefully, to ensure any further learning for the Trust is addressed and applied to our constant work to improve our patients’ safety, quality of care, and experience.”

In a statement released following his death, Tony's family said: "We would like to thank everyone for sharing social media posts, and members of the public and friends who have been out looking for our dad Tony.

"It is truly with great sadness to say that he has passed away after battling a chronic illness that caused a severe decline in his mental health He was a much-loved, well-respected man and no-one had a bad word to say about him. He was a beloved husband to our mum for over 30 years, a devoted dad and grandad. We are truly devastated by his loss."

Help and support

Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org, write to Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS (no more information needed) and visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.

For support for people feeling suicidal, if you are concerned about someone or if you are bereaved by suicide see http://shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk

CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline is for men who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. They're open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.

Greater Manchester Bereavement Service Greater Manchester Bereavement Service can help to find support for anyone in Greater Manchester that has been bereaved or affected by a death. No one needs to feel alone as they deal with their grief. www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk

Childline (0800 1111 ) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.

PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.

Beat Eating Disorders: Beat provides helplines for adults and young people offering support and information about eating disorders. These helplines are free to call from all phones. Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677, Studentline: 0808 801 0811, Youthline: 0808 801 0711. www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Anorexia & Bulimia Care: ABC provide on-going care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders, those struggling personally and parents, families and friends. Helpline: 03000 11 12 13. www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/

Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsagainstdepression.org

For information and links to charities and organisations that can help with substance abuse, visit https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/drugs/