A 36-year old estate agent who had set up his own agency business tragically took his own life after a long battle with depression, an inquest has heard.
Charlie Lancaster, 36, started online agency MyBid4It two years ago, having previously worked for Lancaster Samms, the York-based agency he co-founded at the age of 28.
He was found dead at his flat in York on 18 August by his partner Gemma Stanham, who had been supporting him through his mental health issues.
An inquest held at County Hall in Northallerton this week heard that Lancaster had struggled with anxiety and depression.
Stanham told the hearing in a statement that Lancaster had been “finding things hard during lockdown, when he was working from home, but had seemer brighter, more alert and helpful in the weeks prior to his death, leading her to believe that he had turned a corner”.
Lancaster, who told his therapist that he had regularly thought about ending his life, was found dead with alcohol and antidepressant medication in his bloodstream, although the levels were not enough to be fatal.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, assistant coroner for North Yorkshire John Broadbridge, said: “He [Lancaster] was known to be suffering from depression. He gave no signs that he was planning suicide, though the thought had entered his head. Everything seemed normal – he left no note and had no severe mental illness.
“He knew he would be on his own, that his partner would be at work and that he could not expect to be disturbed. There was a mechanism that involved thought and planning – this was not an accident or a cry for help.”
Terribly sad and my thoughts are with his family and partner.
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Very very sad.
Charlie was a top man and founder director of Lancaster Samms.
He is sadly missed in the Yorkshire property world.
Legend.
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This is terribly sad news. My deepest condolences and thoughts are with his partner, family and friends at this time.
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“There are far, far better things ahead than anything we leave behind.” – C. S. Lewis
None of us are impervious to dark days… reach out, talk to someone you know, or talk to someone you don’t.
You may find that even a few words, no matter how inconsequential or meaningless they may appear, have more meaning than you could ever imagine.
My thoughts go out to his family, his partner and all who knew him.
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RIP Charlie. Very sad indeed
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So sad.
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Very sad news. RIP.
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Tragic news.
Wishing his family and loved ones well. RIP Charlie.
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Charlie was a really genuine guy, he will be sorely missed. RIP Charlie
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Shocking. And a reminder of the wave of these that are happening in this most difficult of situations. Thoughts are with his friends and family
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I worked with Charlie on a couple of projects over the years, and he was a really decent guy – what a tragedy!
A good bloke, who I am sure will be missed by all who knew him – my thoughts are with his friends and family.
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Dear Eye
As a friend and colleague of Charlie I feel compelled to comment on the tone of this report. I think it would be more appropriate to publish an obituary for Charlie, detailing his achievements in the property industry, rather than publishing the personal details of the inquest into his death. Perhaps correctly naming Lancaster Samms & describing Mybid4it correctly as an online auction site not an online agent. Mental health is undoubtedly an issue in the industry that should be highlighted, in my personal opinion, insensitive, and clumsy reporting has allowed Eye to miss this opportunity.
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Wholeheartedly agree – there is no mention of what a well liked and social man he was, dont think there will be many in the industry around York who wont of met Charlie and found him a genuine and likeable man. Outside of the agency world he also was passionate about local causes and raise significant amounts for charity through his work with the York Round Table. Rest in Peace Charlie
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This is really really sad.
Some cope with the dark times, some do not, and when things like this happen it reminds one of the human impact, not only on the lost soul, but also on those that love them.
Being strong comes easier to some than others. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you are feeling blue or helpless; there are plenty of kind people out there, who are there to help.
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