PARALYSED MAGNATE DIED 'TRYING TO SAW OFF LEG' - Barrie Hepburn bled to death after amputation horror

A PROPERTY magnate bled to death while trying to amputate his leg 10 years after he survived being shot three times and inquest has heard.  

Barrie Hepburn, 65, who lived off Park Road, Marylebone, died on August 29 last year after severing his right leg with a hacksaw.

The inquest at Westminster Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Hepburn (pictured), a retired property consultant who also wrote poetry and novels, had become paralysed in his lower body after being shot in 2000 by a neighbour while holidaying in his cottage in France.

Susan Hepburn said her late husband had told her of a wish to amputate his own legs, which he regarded as “a hindrance” as they prevented him from independently getting into a car he had bought with money paid to him as compensation for the shooting.

She said: “He couldn’t get them in the car – that was the problem. That was the overriding factor. He complained about lifting his legs to get in the car. When he leant forwards they were too heavy.”

She said that her husband, who had previously attempted suicide by taking an opium overdose, had viewed videos of self-amputation online.

She added: “He was convinced that if he severed one leg he would have time to call the ambulance and then the other leg would have to be amputated”.

However, she said he had subsequently pledged to her that he would not attempt it.
 

Mr Hepburn’s GP Dr Andy Goodstone, based at Marylebone Health Centre, said he had arranged for a consultation with a psychiatrist, Dr Leena Reddy, after Mr Hepburn told him of a desire to have his legs removed – but Mrs Hepburn said she “had no confidence” in Dr Reddy, who she said had asked her husband whether he had body dysmorphia.

She said: “I don’t think she understood him at all.”

Bridget Dolan, counsel for Mrs Hepburn, said Dr Reddy had recorded a “moderate to high risk” of Mr Hepburn harming himself in future.

A letter written by Dr Goodstone to other health professionals treating Mr Hepburn was read out in court. It stated: “He [Mr Hepburn] has started having strong ruminatory thoughts of having his legs amputated as they are getting in the way. Ideally he would like to have this done by surgeons but said he would attempt it himself if necessary.”     

Dr Hayley Moore, a surgeon who spoke to Mr Hepburn about a planned procedure to deal with a sore on his back, said Mr Hepburn had also spoken to her about possible self-amputation.

She said: “He was clear that he did not want to end his life. He was clear that he thought his legs did not serve a purpose and that in fact they got in the way. I asked him was he aware that if he attempted to amputate his legs himself there was a strong possibility that this would end his life and he said he would not.”
 

Asked by coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe if she felt more could have been done for her husband, Mrs Hepburn said: “There’s something missing some­where. I just feel there’s something missing.”

In a statement read to the court Mrs Hepburn described her husband as “impulsive” and said he enjoyed wind­surfing and driving fast cars.

She added: “He was a strong person, extremely strong physically and mentally.” 

The court heard that at 2.14pm on August 29 last year Mr Hepburn called 999, told the operator he had severed his leg and asked for an ambulance. Paramedics were unable to gain entry to his home and he was discovered dead in his wheelchair by police who forced entry. A plastic tourniquet used by Mr Hepburn to try to control the bleeding, and a bag he had packed which contained the Racing Post and provisions for a hospital stay, were also found.

Mrs Hepburn said: “Because my husband was really intelligent I can never understand how he though he could amputate his own legs and a plastic tourniquet would be enough.”

Her solicitor Mark Bowman said: “My client is deeply saddened by the death of her husband to whom she had been happily married for over 25 years. She has lost a very special person in her life and her son James has lost his father. We welcome this inquest which will carefully examine what happened and will ascertain the exact circumstances that led up to Mr Hepburn’s death. My client and her son have been through a considerable ordeal and we ask that you respect their privacy at this difficult time.” 

Cause of death was recorded as excessive blood loss. 

The inquest was adjourned until June 22.