A MAN who died from a suspected overdose has become the first known person to have had a living will, an inquest heard.

Wayne David Ellis (42), who was HIV positive, was found unconscious at his home on Salisbury Road, Radcliffe, on April 28, with some empty pill packets close by.

Bury Coroner's Court was told on Wednesday how Mr Ellis was admitted to the intensive care unit at Fairfield General Hospital but doctors were unable to administer full medical care as he had a signed a will stating he did not wish for any life-prolonging treatment. On April 29, his life support machine was switched off.

Mr Ellis was born in Bury and diagnosed with haemophilia at ten months old. He spent his childhood being treated at Manchester Royal Infirmary and underwent a number of blood transfusions.

It was in 1984 that Mr Ellis contracted the HIV virus and his mother Irene Madden, of Winchester Close, Radcliffe, told the court the diagnosis triggered the start of a downward spiral into severe depression.

She said: "He just wanted to die. He did not want to be here. He spoke about committing suicide on a regular basis."

It was in 2001 that Mr Ellis admitted to his consultant physician, Dr Alec Bollington, that he had decided to make the will and only wanted to be given medication that would relieve any pain he may suffer.

Dr Bollington told the court that, at the time, Mr Ellis had felt lucky to have achieved the things he had in life but simply did not want any future help.

Dr Bollington said: "He even told me that if there was a single drug he could take for his HIV, or one drug to take away his pain, he still would not take it."

The court heard how Mr Ellis had taken a medication overdose in April 2003 and was admitted to the mental health ward at Fairfield General Hospital. He was discharged three days later but re-admitted himself as a voluntary patient for the next 12 months where he was placed on suicide watch several times.

Mr Ellis returned finally returned home in April but was still suffering from deep depression.

Mrs Madden said: "He would just lie on his bed saying he could not stand it anymore and asked me to kill him. We tried to change his outlook to life but nothing worked. It was an impossible situation."

Coroner Simon Nelson recorded an open verdict due to a lack of a toxicological evidence after the family refused an internal post-mortem.

Summing up, Mr Nelson told Mrs Madden and her family: "This has been a very difficult inquiry to conduct. Dr Alec Bollington stated how Mr Ellis had expressed that he felt lucky for his achievements. That coming from someone beset by so many difficulties I find incredibly remarkable. I hope that you are able to reflect on the positive attributes to Mr Ellis's character and come to terms with the very sad and tragic loss of your son."