Coroner rules on tragic death of 44-year-old Blackpool father-of-two in Lytham
An inquest has heard how a 44-year-old Blackpool father-of-two tragically took his own life.
Insurance manager Jason Strickland was sadly found dead in his own car in the multi-storey car park near his place of work in Lytham after colleagues became concerned over his whereabouts in late 2025.
CCTV footage showed that Mr Strickland had driven back into the car park at lunchtime on November 7 last year, but when he didn’t return to the office as the afternoon went on and his car was not in its usual spot, colleagues alerted security.
Mr Strickland was found non-responsive in his white VW Golf on an upper floor of the multi-storey section of the car park and police were called.
Det Insp Andy Gilmour told an inquest at Blackpool Town Hall that there were several severe wounds on the body and as well as blades in the vehicle. The investigation into Mr Strickland’s death included looking through his electronic devices, with DI Gilmour explaining his web activity included searches for weapons such as those found in the car.
Further investigations found that Mr Strickland had a substantial amount of debt, of which his wife Ashley was not aware, as she said in a statement. In other statements read in court work colleagues said there had been nothing untoward about Mr Strickland’s behaviour on the morning of his death.
Coroner Louise Rae, recording a verdict of suicide, said there were no evidence Mr Strickland’s financial concerns had prompted his actions but was satisfied he had intended to take his own life. She passed on her condolences to the family.
Pathologist Dr Muhammad Aslam said the primary cause of death was hypovolemic shock caused by loss of blood. He confirmed that with no sign of third party involvement, the wounds were clearly self-inflicted and added that toxicology tests for alcohol and drugs were negative.
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Mr Stickland’s father-in-law Nick Driver, who was in court for the hearing, said the family were grateful to the police and emergency services for their help in the matter.
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