Police chief 'wanted to kill himself'

Michael Todd

Ex-Greater Manchester Police Chief Michael Todd was confronted by his wife Carolyn about an extra-marital affair just a few days before his body was found.

The police chief had sent text messages to female friends saying that he was in 'a dark place' and wanted to kill himself, the inquest into his death heard.

The 50-year old father of three was found dead on Snowdon in March.

The inquest in north Wales heard how Mr Todd sent an email to his wife to apologise and tell her that he had been ill for some time. He had visited suicide websites and aborted one attempt to take his life.

The police chief spoke to a woman, known only as A, saying he would take a week to sort out his affairs and then he would take his own life.

He purchased tourist guides for the Lake District and north Wales on Saturday 8 March and took the Monday off work.

He is believed to have contacted at least seven women over the course of the weekend and spent the Saturday night with G before travelling to Cumbria.

The signal from his mobile phone was then tracked to the Menai Straits area of Wales at 11pm on Monday 10 March. His body was discovered on Snowdon the next day.

The coroner told the inquest that there was no evidence to suggest that Mr Todd had fallen to his death. It was recorded that he died of exposure. He was affected by alcohol, a sleeping drug and "confusion" due to his personal situation.