ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

An IT executive at JP Morgan who plunged to his death from the top of the bank’s Canary Wharf headquarters had been on a reconnaissance mission to try to get on the roof previously, an inquest heard today.

American Gabriel Magee, 39, fell 500 feet from the roof shortly after 8am on January 28 in front of horrified financial workers. Poplar coroner’s court heard that investigators had studied his computer and found a number of documents, with one reading: “Trying to jump off building.” Another read: “Hate life.”

JP Morgan investigator Jonathan Shatford suggested that Mr Magee had been on a reconnaissance mission to the roof. He said CCTV images had revealed him several times scouting the 32nd floor.

He told the inquest: “We know that at 13.03 on November 25 he went to the 32nd floor and tried to swipe. He was trying and then returned to the ninth floor... He had no business reason to be there. He returned in the evening ... his card did not work.” On how he eventually got out onto the roof, Mr Shatford said he had gone to the 32nd floor, clambered up a steel step ladder and climbed through a hatch.

Mr Magee was a vice-president in CIB Technology and had been with the US banking giant for 10 years. His partner Veronica Strande told the inquest that they had been talking about their future plans on the weekend before he died. The lawyer said: “We talked about the future, friends, family... There was no problem. He was lovely with a dry sense of humour and loved music.”

Ms Strande said the IT expert had never indicated any sign of depression or suicidal thoughts but revealed he had been seeing a therapist. She added that “he was in a happier place after a split” with a former partner and now looked forward to a future with her.

The inquest heard that Mr Magee’s body was discovered by IT contractor Timothy Watson who looked out of a window on the ninth floor and saw the executive lying in a pool of blood.

Former girlfriend Lucy Pinches told the inquest that Mr Magee, who had applied for UK citizenship, had a “darker side” and that his break up with her last year had left him “traumatised”. She said: “He was lovely... but he had a darker side. He would want to sit in a room with the curtains drawn, sometimes he didn’t want to socialise. It was very difficult.”

Mr Magee’s father Bill, a former US Air Force commander who had been based in the UK and sister, Gabriela, travelled from their home in New Mexico to attend the inquest.

Mr Magee’s boss Andrew Harding said: “He was difficult to get to know but was a humble, kind person with a dry sense of humour. During 2013, his project did not do too well. In early 2013 he said he was having some issues.

“He thought his work was suffering. At one point he said he was grieving, I thought he had suffered a bereavement. I intervened because a project was not going well. He was given flexible working to help him deal with his personal issues. He was very grateful and seemed much happier.”

A JP Morgan spokesman said: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Gabriel’s family and friends. We are focused on supporting our colleagues and those close to him on this very difficult day."

Returning a verdict of suicide, Senior coroner Mary Hassell said: "I am wholly satisfied that Gabriel jumped. If someone is determined they will find a way to meet their death."

The coroner said he had been on the roof for hours before plunging to his death. She suggested that he had fooled those around him into thinking he was okay while he was in fact deeply troubled.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Magee's father Bill said: "My son was an honest cherished decent man. He had a sweetheart and was looking forward to life.

"Gabriel our son was crushed in that fall, as were the hearts of his brother and sisters and mother."

He added: "He could have fallen, we do not know."