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Gravesend musician Tashan Larmond-Maginn found dead in Shorne Woods Country Park struggled with mental health problems after brother's death

A young musician took his own life in tragic circumstances after struggling with addiction-related mental health problems following the suicide of his brother, an inquest has heard.

Aspiring artist Tashan Peter Larmond-Maginn was discovered at Shorne Woods Country Park on April 20 by officers investigating his disappearance.

Tashan Larmond, from Northfleet. Photo: Nedim Nazerali
Tashan Larmond, from Northfleet. Photo: Nedim Nazerali

The 26-year-old, of Alfred Place, Northfleet, had been reported missing days earlier and an appeal to find him was launched.

Today, an inquest into his death heard the music producer had last made contact with family members on April 15.

Police were alerted to a further unconfirmed sighting of him entering the woodland four days later by a member of the public who had spotted his Audi parked off the Ridgeway nearby.

However, officers did not rule out the possibility Mr Larmond-Maginn may have died days earlier.

Investigating officer Det Sgt James Greagsby explained to the court how he was called to the country park shortly after midday on April 20 following reports of a death.

Tashan was discovered in Shorne Woods Country Park
Tashan was discovered in Shorne Woods Country Park

The area of woodland Mr Larmond-Maginn was located in was described as "remote and difficult to access".

Det Sgt Greagsby was able to identify the body of Mr Larmond-Maginn using a Facebook image and tattoos on the back of his hands, described to the court as an "all-seeing eye".

A car key, debit card and anti-depressants were found on his person and a medical cause of death was given as hanging.

Assistant coroner Alan Blunsdon heard Mr Larmond-Maginn had been suffering from anxiety and "unresolved grief" related to the death of his younger half-brother Leon, who took his own life in the same location a year prior.

It was understood the anniversary of his death and the breakdown of a relationship had been playing on the deceased's own mental state.

Mr Larmond-Maginn had previously been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder, the court heard.

Tashan Larmond, from Northfleet was struggling with addiction and his own brother's death, an inquest heard. Photo: Nedim Nazerali
Tashan Larmond, from Northfleet was struggling with addiction and his own brother's death, an inquest heard. Photo: Nedim Nazerali

According to a report prepared by a mental health nurse and shown to the coroner, Mr Larmond-Maginn had been suffering from "distracting voices" and intrusive thoughts linked to illicit drug use.

The aspiring music artist was known to local mental health services and years prior had been admitted to Littlebrook Hospital in Dartford after expressing an intention to end his own life.

On one occasion he was admitted to A&E after an overdose but absconded without being seen by the mental health unit.

The Gravesend-based musician had contacted the West Kent Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Service in the weeks leading up to his death.

It was understood Mr Larmond-Maginn was displaying "futuristic thinking", had joined the gym and was making plans to abstain from his use of cannabis.

However, weeks after his last check-up the aspiring artist and producer left a handwritten suicide note addressed to his mum and sister.

Balloons were released in May in memory of Leon Junior and Tashan Larmond-Maginn who were half siblings
Balloons were released in May in memory of Leon Junior and Tashan Larmond-Maginn who were half siblings

In the letter, he outlined his intention to end his own life, expressing that he "had tried" and "just wanted to feel normal".

A toxicology report recorded the presence of drugs in his system at the time of death but the coroner noted these were "therapeutic levels".

The coroner heard there was no evidence of Mr Larmond-Maginn experiencing financial problems.

Instead, it accepted evidence of a history of mental health problems, struggles with addiction and grief over his brother's suicide as the main contributing factors behind his death.

Speaking at the inquest, held at County Hall in Maidstone, Mr Blunsdon said: "From the reports I have read on his engagement with mental health services it seems he was struggling with his use of illicit drugs and his mental health."

The coroner concluded he had been making concerted efforts to "conquer" his drug use and better engage with mental health services.

He added: "It is a tragedy which we have heard today and on the basis of the evidence produced by the investigating police officer I'm satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Tashan intended to and did by his own hand take his own life.

"In those circumstances, I extend to the family of Tashan my deepest sympathies because it comes closely after a previous tragedy."

If you need help on an emotional issue you can call the Samaritans free, at any time, on 116 123.

For more information on how we can report on inquests, click here.

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