Doctor, 33, killed himself after parents objected to relationship with fellow medic because of 'cultural differences'

Dr Madhu Honnaiah, 33, took a lethal mix of his hospital's own drugs after splitting with fiancée Dr Emma Wrighton, pictured

A Doctor killed himself after splitting from his fiancee because his parents were worried that she wasn’t Indian.

Dr Madhu Honnaiah, 33, injected himself with a lethal mix of his hospital’s own drugs after breaking up with fellow doctor Emma Wrighton, 32.

An inquest heard his Indian family had been upset at the engagement because of the couple’s ‘cultural differences’.

Anaesthetist Dr Honnaiah, who was originally from Bangalore, had begun a relationship with Dr Wrighton in 2008 while they were working together in Liverpool.

She then got a job in Australia but the pair stayed in touch – and moved in together when she returned home to Britain. The couple were engaged in 2010 but Dr Honnaiah did not tell his parents because he was wary of their ‘cultural beliefs’, the inquest was told.

Investigating officer PC Huw Evans said: ‘During a visit to Britain from India, his parents learned of the relationship and said they weren’t happy about it. It was said his parents wanted him to marry someone from his caste or from the Bangalore area of India where he grew up.’

The inquest heard Dr Honnaiah, who moved to the UK in 2003, had suggested a Hindu wedding to his fiancée to appease his parents, but she did not want to change the ceremony they had already arranged.

The couple broke up in September 2010 and then moved to new jobs in South Wales, with both doctors ending up working in Swansea.

PC Evans said: ‘After the breakdown of his relationship, concerns were raised about Dr Honnaiah’s state of mind by his colleagues.’

The inquest was told how Dr Wrighton tried to phone her ex-boyfriend in the days before he was found dead and tried to speak to Dr Honnaiah at his home but was unable to find him at his apartment.

Dr Honnaiah’s colleagues at Singleton Hospital weren’t worried at first because he had been due to take the week off.

The couple broke up in September 2010 and Dr Honnaiah moved to Swansea in January 2011

Dr Honnaiah's colleagues at Singleton hospital weren't worried at first because he had been due to take the week off

But after being contacted by one of his friends, two fellow anaesthetists went to check up on him. PC Evans added: ‘They found his flat unlocked and when they went inside they found him deceased.

‘There was a small syringe near him, a note, and three empty ampoules.’ Swansea Coroners Court heard that the ampoules contained the standard components of general anaesthetic. The eight-page hand written letter made it clear that the doctor intended to take his own life.

Just days before his body was found on April 20 last year, his friend Basavaraj Chari called to see if he was all right and tried to persuade him to come and stay with him at his home in Preston.

Dr Honnaiah said he couldn’t visit because of work commitments. At the time of his death he was working as part of the anaesthetic team at 550-bed Singleton Hospital.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Swansea coroner Philip Rogers said: ‘I think it is clear that the breakdown of this relationship with Dr Wrighton must have caused Dr Honnaiah great distress and worry.’