Tragedy as estate agent, 36, found to have taken his own life

A young estate agent who set up his own online auction service took his own life after a long period suffering from depression.

An inquest has heard that Charlie Lancaster, 36, started auction firm MyBid4It in 2018, having previously worked for Lancaster Simms, an agency in York.

He was found dead at his home in the city on August 18, by his girlfriend Gemma Stanham.

She found Lancaster dead at their home early in the evening.

A postmortem later found alcohol and antidepressant medication in his bloodstream, but the levels were not enough to be fatal.

A doctor told the inquest that Lancaster had struggled with his mood since 2016, and that this was connected in part to his father's sudden death from suicide. He had declined a psychiatric referral but did accept the offer to see a counsellor.

Recording a verdict of suicide, assistant coroner for North Yorkshire John Broadbridge that although Lancaster's education, work and relationships meant he was not in the 'at risk' group for male suicides, he had nevertheless taken his own life.

"He 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”.

Estate Agent Today extends its sympathies to Charlie Lancaster’s family and friends.

You can read a local media report of the inquest and its conclusion here.