Former Welsh minister Carl Sargeant, who was found dead just days after finding out he was facing allegations of sexual harassment, hanged himself at his family home, a post-mortem has found.
John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales (East and Central), said Mr Sargeant had left a note for his wife Bernadette on the utility room door, telling her not to enter.
But she did and found her husband on the floor.
He is believed to have taken his own life on 7 November at his home in Connah's Quay, Deeside, in North Wales.
Along with family members, the emergency services tried to resuscitate Mr Sargeant for about 20 to 30 minutes, before pronouncing him dead.
The former minister for children and communities was found deadafter being sacked from his role and suspended by the Labour party.
There has been mounting pressure on Wales' first minister, Carwyn Jones, to resign over his handling of the situation.
Mr Sargeant's family claim he was unaware of the detail of the allegations he faced and was therefore unable to defend himself.
They also insist the Welsh Labour Party was made aware of the impact the situation was having on his mental and physical health the day before he died.
Mr Gittins said his job was not to apportion blame, but instead to establish the cause of Mr Sargeant's death.
He said: "Let me make it absolutely clear that my inquest will not consider the veracity of the allegations made against Mr Sargeant, nor will I be looking to Cardiff and the Welsh Assembly or the Welsh Labour Party and making adjudication as to who is right and who is wrong and who can be trusted.
"But, as part of my investigation, I must gather evidence to assist me in reaching a conclusion, as when the final inquest hearing takes place I will be required to give consideration to reaching a conclusion of suicide, which would require me to be certain that it was Mr Sargeant's intention to end his life."
The full inquest has been adjourned to a later date, which will be confirmed in due course.
:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK.
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