Depressed teacher found dead at flat

Police found the body of 33-yyear-old PE teacher Christopher Meaden hanging at his flat in Edenthorpe last Saturday after his wife, who was separated from him, raised the alarm because of text messages he sent her.

Staff at The McAuley Catholic High School have been left reeling from the shock. Mr Meaden's wife Laura also teaches at the school in Cantley Lane.

The couple met at the school six years ago and were married in March 2005 but parted earlier this year, although they remained good friends, a Doncaster inquest was told.

Mrs Meaden, 29, of Byron Court, Balby, said her husband suffered from clinical depression which had been diagnosed before they met.

"It came on in bouts. Not long after things in our marriage deteriorated and we decided to end the marriage by divorce earlier this year.

"We were still friends and went on holiday and I helped him find somewhere to live."

Mr Meaden moved to a flat in Elmdale Drive, Edenthorpe, and last Friday she sent him a text message saying she would see him at school on Monday.

"I got an odd reply - 'Who knows?'. I sent more texts on Friday night and the last one said 'Won't make Monday, love you'."

When Mrs Meaden got no response to calls on Saturday she went to his flat but could not get in so contacted police.

An officer forced entry and shortly afterwards informed Mrs Meaden her husband's body had been found upstairs.

Doncaster Coroner Stanley Hooper adjourned the inquest to a later date.

Afterwards McAuley headteacher, Mary Lawrence said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of one of our PE teachers, Chris Meaden.

"Chris was popular and very well liked by both pupils and staff, as well as a great colleague.

"He will be sadly missed at the school and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."