AN ‘EXTREMELY impulsive’ young man with ADHD carried out a deliberate act which caused his death, an inquest found.  

Finley Abbott was described by loved-ones as a ‘caring, loving, loyal young man’ who made his mark on all who knew him. The 21-year-old tragically died at his home in Maryport on December 24 last year.

An inquest held into his death at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard Mr Abbott loved his job at Allerdale Waste Disposal Services and throughout his life, he always loved dogs. His dog, Ada, was ‘his whole world’.

Mr Abbott had been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and anxiety in 2016. He was known to be ‘extremely impulsive’ and was not being treated for ADHD at the time of his death.

His mum, Erica Galletly, said he was ‘so impulsive it would scare her’ and he would do something and then think about it afterwards.

He was excited about Christmas and his mum had no concerns about him when she last saw him on Christmas Eve. His last words to her were that he loved her.  

Mr Abbott had been out with friends at Maryport’s Lifeboat Inn on December 24 and drank just over two pints.

He went to his dad’s house at 7pm that evening. David Abbott said his son was sat in the chair and was ‘very quiet’. He later dropped his son off at home and said, ‘see you tomorrow’ but Mr Abbott didn’t reply.

Elliemya Petre, Mr Abbott’s long-term girlfriend, said she last saw him at 7pm while dropping off a vape off for him at the Lifeboat Inn with Mr Abbott’s mum and stepdad.

Miss Petre later exchanged Snapchat messages with Mr Abbott who had asked to see her but she declined. She contacted Ms Galletly when she didn’t get a response from Mr Abbott at 9pm.

David Abbott went back to his son’s house and discovered him unresponsive. He and Mr Abbott’s stepdad gave CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene, but he was later pronounced dead.

A statement from Mr Abbott’s GP at Maryport Health Services said she believed a referral letter sent to Psychiatry UK in June 2023 for ADHD treatment was still being processed.

But Psychiatry UK said the referral letter had been returned and the GP practice had been informed that a full new referral was required.

Kirsty Gomersal, area coroner for Cumbria, said waiting times for ADHD treatment were ‘extensive’ and the current wait time is 7-10 months from the first appointment until getting treatment.

A toxicology report showed the presence of alcohol just over the drink-drive limit. The cause of death was given as hanging.

In her concluding statement, Ms Gomersal said Mr Abbott was known to be ‘extremely impulsive’ and had future plans. She said the intent to end his own life had not been found.

The coroner returned a narrative conclusion, which said: “While Finley died as a result of a deliberate act, it can’t be found that he intended to take his own life.”

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