Coroner rules that Hellesdon builder died by suicide

The body of Povilas Kokanskis was discovered by a van driver in a woodland area off Low Road in Hellesdon at around 5.20am on July 7.

Norfolk police were called and cordoned off the road so his body would not be visible to the public. 

In a police report read out at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, his ex-wife, and mother of his two children, indicated that he would have “a mental breakdown every couple of years”. 

Norfolk Coroner's Court at County Hall, Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

She explained that he would “become distant” and make comments about taking his own life. 

On July 6, CCTV footage from his home on nearby Drayton Wood Road saw him leave his house at around 9.48pm.

His wife, Laura Bukauskaite, initially thought he had left to go for a walk but went to search for him at around 10.30pm.

The next morning at 7.57am, she reported him missing to police after his phone and house keys had been found by a dog walker.  

A review of his phone showed Google searches looking for ways to raise money and how to apply for bankruptcy. 

She explained to officers that he had recently received a letter informing him that he owed £40,000 in income tax. 

A pathologist recorded the medical cause of death was given as “hanging by the neck”. 

Area coroner for Norfolk, Samantha Goward, recorded a conclusion of suicide at the inquest into his death held on December 7. 

Mr Kokanskis was born on October 10, 1986, in Lithuania. 

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