Norwich Lanes antiques dealer remembered after tragic death

Matthew Wesley died earlier this year in the flat above his shop in St Benedicts Street in the city. He was 46 years old.

Mr Wesley, born in Chester, had lived in the city for ten years, where he ran his eponymous business selling and lovingly restoring valuable antiques, particularly clocks.

The inquest into his death revealed that he was found unconscious in his flat by his father on 4 February after he failed to attend a planned Sunday lunch at the Wig and Pen pub.

After discovering that the property was locked, Peter Wesley managed to climb a ladder into the building through a window, but tragically discovered that his son was dead.

During the hearing before the Norfolk Coroner's Court, his parents described how shocked his death had been to his many customers who had had a high opinion of him.

Ann Wesley, his mother, said: “Everyone who knew him came into the store and burst into tears because he was such a lovely person.”

She added that he visited her at home a week before his death and spoke passionately for several hours about a book he had read and an old movie he had seen.

His father added: “There were no obvious signs that he was depressed.”

Yvonne Blake, coroner for Norfolk, said: “I know he was a very clever and popular antiques restorer and a very clever young man.”

She added that he most likely acted “on impulse”.

He concluded that Mr Wesley had taken his own life, but that it was likely an “impulsive act without deliberation”.

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