The family of an "amazing, loving" man who took his own life have called for greater understanding of people living with ADHD during an inquest into his death.

Lee Fuller was found unresponsive in the Castle Quarter car park on March 5 this year having taken an act to end his own life. He was 35.

An inquest into his death heard that he had been reported missing the day before and initially assessed by police as being "medium risk" - although this was later upgraded to high. 

His car was located in the car park of the Norwich shopping centre the next morning, with Mr Fuller slumped across the front two seats unresponsive.

In statements read out to the court, members of his family said his death needed to serve as a reminder of the impact attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can have.

Mr Fuller was diagnosed with the condition as a child, in 2002, for which he received a medication that he stopped taking in adulthood.

(Image: Newsquest)

But after seeking to restart his treatment as an adult in 2016, he faced struggles accessing support and it was not until 2018 that he was able to resume his medication.

His mother, Annette Champion, said she felt his ADHD had likely contributed to the way his life ended - and that greater understanding of the condition could have helped prevent his death.

She said: "The links between ADHD and suicide need to be researched more.

"He had plans for the future but his impulsivity is what led to him ending his life and breaking our hearts."

His partner Rachel Lain, who he met in 2018, said she shared his mother's concerns about the understanding of Mr Fuller's condition.

She said that over the course of the weekend before his death he had been dwelling on a workplace incident the Friday before.

Assistant coroner Johanna Thompson concluded that Mr Fuller had taken his own life "while in a disturbed state of mind".

 

'MOST AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL SOUL'

While expressing their concerns over how understanding of ADHD can be improved, his loved ones also paid loving tributes to Mr Fuller.

Mrs Champion said: "My son was the most amazing, loving, kind, hilariously funny, beautiful soul you could hope to meet.

"He was the life and soul of any gathering and always had everybody laughing.

"He was the most amazing son I could have hoped for."

Miss Lain added: "I always felt safe and secure with Lee and loved him completely. I miss him every minute, but nothing will ever take away the memories we had together."

Since December 2023, Mr Fuller had worked as a cyber security engineer for Norwich City Council and lived in the city.

A memorial fund following his death had raised more than £800 for the ADHD Foundation.

Do you need support? Samaritans can be reached 24/7 via 116 123. The NHS First Response Service is available on 111, selecting the mental health option.