Tragedy after popular young Bolton man took his life after troubled childhood

Marc Palin was born in Stockton-on-Tees and as a child he and his mum Jennifer were victims of domestic abuse.

Once, he was present when Mrs Palin was stabbed 18 times, an incident which left Marc with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Marc was placed into foster care. But he later said he was “subjected to abuse” by his foster father, Bolton Coroner’s Court heard.

The incident was reported to police but there was a lack of evidence and the case was dropped.

Marc, who moved with his family to Bolton, was “devastated” by the outcome and suffered with depression and anxiety.

Mrs Palin said her son, who previously worked as a care assistant, was a “happy-go-lucky” person who enjoyed going out with his friends and "always stuck up for the underdog". 

But he started drinking excessively and took drugs.

On May 13, 2020, he called an ambulance after he had taken diazepam and had swallowed a bottle top and glass, the latter thought to have been as a result of a “dare” from a friend.

He was treated in hospital and given a mental health assessment.

But mental health practitioner Karen Dalley said he could be discharged on May 14, 2020 as he did not present an “immediate risk” and was going to follow a plan.

Mrs Dalley said Marc wanted to keep himself safe.

The next day, Marc, who was living with his stepdad Brian, on Red Lane, took a call and was heard by his younger brother to say he “would sort it” before leaving at around 12.30pm. It is not known who phoned him.

Marc was found hanging in a secluded area off Mytham Road, in Little Lever, at around 3.30pm.

He was rushed to hospital but his condition was “unsurvivable” and he died at around 4.20am on May 16, 2020.

Police found no suspicious circumstances.

Coroner Simon Nelson agreed with pathologist Dr Phil Waugh’s cause of death as hanging and recorded a conclusion of suicide, also linking the effect his childhood had on him.

No illicit drugs or alcohol were found in Marc's system.