Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt (pictured), 39, was found dead at his home in Lincoln at the beginning of this month
A soldier who served alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan is thought to have hanged himself after suffering the effects of PTSD, an inquest heard.
Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, 39, was found dead at his home in Lincoln at the beginning of this month.
His parents Derek and Maria want their son’s death to help end the stigma of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by returning soldiers.
WO Hunt served with Prince Harry in Helmand Province in 2008 after being attached to the Household Calvary.
The father-of-one was part of a desert reconnaissance unit which was involved in identifying roadside bombs planted by the Taliban.
Mr Hunt, a member of the Royal Engineers, was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for his courage in locating improvised explosive devices while on secret missions to ambush the enemy.
But he was later diagnosed with mental health issues linked to combat stress.
An inquest heard police forced entry to the property on the morning of January 2 after concerns were raised for WO Hunt’s safety.
Paul Smith, the Area Coroner for Lincolnshire, said: ‘The information I have in relation to this death is fairly limited at present.
‘I am told in a statement from PC Nathan Addlesee that on that date police officers attended the address as a consequence of concerns for the occupant.
WO Hunt served with Prince Harry in Helmand Province in 2008 after being attached to the Household Calvary
‘The officer states that at 9.50am as a consequence of the door being secured by a chain that the officers forced entry.’
He said a man thought to be Nathan Hunt was found hanging. A paramedic arrived and he was declared dead at 9.52am.
WO Hunt was formally identified by his father, Derek Hunt, on January 18. The inquest heard Mr Hunt had last seen his son alive on New Year’s Eve.
The coroner concluded the hearing by stating: ‘The final piece of evidence I have is a provisional post mortem from Dr Hodi, he confirms this was not a natural cause of death. The clinical cause of death is 1A, hanging.
‘I am satisfied the circumstances of Mr Hunt’s death are such I must hold an inquest.
‘There are ongoing inquiries in to the broader circumstances of his death, and I therefore adjourn the inquest for a provisional date of 21 June.’
WO Hunt (pictured above left, and right with Prince Harry) was formally identified by his father, Derek Hunt, on January 18. The inquest heard Mr Hunt had last seen his son alive on New Year’s Eve
WO Hunt, who has an elder brother, grew up in Lincoln and joined the Army as a boy soldier just before his 16th birthday after attending North Kesteven School.
Derek, who himself served 22 years in the Army, said after his son’s death: ‘I don’t see Nathan’s death as any different to if he had been shot on the battlefield. He is a casualty of war.
‘He saved hundreds of lives during his career in the Army and if his death can do the same then that would be a fitting tribute.
‘We have to end the stigma that comes from post-traumatic stress disorder.’
The family insist they do not blame the Army for Nathan’s death but would like to see more military hospitals and psychiatric help for returning soldiers.
A full military funeral will be held for WO Hunt.