A WINCHESTER man took his own life following years of chronic pain caused by knee replacement surgery.

David Reeve, of Orient Drive, Harestock, died on October 20, 2022 in Crab Wood, Wood Lane, an inquest heard.

The hearing, at Winchester Coroners’ Court on Wednesday, August 2, was told that Mr Reeve, 83, was discovered in his car by police officers after he had been reported missing by his wife Ann. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The court heard that Mr Reeve had undergone surgery on his right knee in 2017. While the surgery was successful, Mr Reeve told members of his family that he was still experiencing pain, leading him to have further surgery.

While his GP told Mr Reeve that full recovery would take time, he continued to express dissatisfaction with his level of recovery leading him to seek further treatment.

However, Mr Reeve, an electrical engineer, seemed to hide the extent of the pain from the rest of his family.

In a statement read by Coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp, Mrs Reeve said: “He was happy in his activities.

“On the day of his death we had a nice lunch in Winchester. He gave no clue that he was in any pain that day."

After Mr Reeve was found, his family discovered notes on his computer detailing the pain his knee was causing him.

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Mrs Rhodes-Kemp said: “It is sad because if he had gone back to his own GP, the GP would have realised that he needed help and he would have received help. It is very sad, and it did not need to happen.

“It is very sad that someone who was very intelligent, had a good career and had a lovely family got so bogged down.”

The coroner said the cause of death was asphyxiation and gave the family her condolences.