A scientist who killed himself in Abingdon was “too sensitive for this world," his father told a court.

Samuel Winter, a protein biochemist, was found hanging in his bedroom by a friend on July 1.

Oxford Coroner's Court heard the 29-year-old had a history of low mood as an inquest into his death concluded yesterday (Tuesday, December 12). 

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Senior Coroner Darren Salter gave the cause of death as suicide.

He read a statement from Mr Winter’s father Antony, who described his son as “handsome and well-built, but also troubled”.

The court heard that Mr Winter, who worked at Immunocore biotechnology company in Abingdon, had moved back in with his parents in Abergavenny, Wales, for four months in October 2022 after splitting up with his long term girlfriend.

His father described his mood during this winter period as “towering highs and cavernous lows”.

“He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders,” he said.

“Speaking to him, he always put a positive spin on it.”

He said his son’s mood did not improve when he moved to Abingdon in January.

“He had mates around in London but no friends that were local,” he said.

“He was a very social lad. He was a charming young man.

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“He could put people at ease even if he was not at ease himself.”

School mate Oliver Scudamore had arranged to meet Mr Winter at Didcot Parkway train station on July 1 for a friendly visit.

But he received a text message from his friend the day before telling him not to come.

“He said I was a good guy but that I would be better off without him,” he said in a statement read to the court.

“I was good friends with him. We had known each other since Year 6. We were fairly close.”

Mr Scudamore still travelled to the station hoping that his friend would change his mind and “not leave me stranded”.

But he arrived to find his friend was not there, and instead journeyed to his home address in Abingdon, the inquest heard.

After getting no response when he knocked on his door, Mr Scudamore phoned an ambulance. 

Before they arrived, he was let into the flat by Mr Winter’s flatmate who had returned home.

The court heard Mr Scudamore found his friend’s body in his bedroom.

South Central Ambulance Service said there was no lifesaving opportunities and Mr Salter told the court that Mr Winter had been dead for some time.

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