Boyfriend died of overdoseA MAN killed himself after sending his girlfriend text messages saying he would see in the after life.

Simon Bullen, 33, of Fulham Street, Nelson, died last September from an overdose of alcohol and drugs which had been prescribed for his partner, Elaine White, by her GP.

Miss White, of White Hough Place, Nelson, told the inquest there were at least three full 50ml bottles of methadone in the house on the night Simon died.

Miss White told the inquest that Simon was an alcoholic who drank every night and had tried to kill himself a couple of months into their relationship by taking her methadone.

She said she had been at her father's house the night before Mr Bullen died, when he called her numerous times and sent her text messages to say he loved her and would see her in the after life.

She said she did not tell anybody about the calls because they happened regularly when they fell out.

Burnley coroner David Smith recorded a verdict that Mr Bullen killed himself while depressed and said: "It is quite clear from the messages he left on that day that he was very emotional. The opportunity was there and on that occasion it is obvious he intended to end his life."

PC Andrew Ashworth of Nelson police said he found Mr Bullen slumped in a chair surrounded by five empty bottles of methadone and several cans of empty lager.

PC Ashworth said there was a collection of suicide notes on a nearby table which were addressed to Elaine and his brother, Chris.

Doctor Zafar Qureshi said a post mortem examination did not reveal the exact cause of death but toxicology results showed that Mr Bullen had died from an overdose of alcohol and methadone.