TWO men made a pact to kill themselves after meeting on a suicide website.

Keith Shepherd, 54, was found dead at his home in Ambleside Drive, Southend, laying beside the body of Anthony Barrett, 47.

The pair had drunk excessive amounts of alcohol, taken a cocktail of prescription drugs and then poisoned themselves with carbon monoxide.

Southend Coroner’s Court heard Mr Barrett, from north west London, befriended Mr Shepherd after they both joined a website to unite people considering suicide.

Mr Shepherd battled with mental health problems since the death of his mum in 2007 – and that of his wife, 11 months later.

He tried to kill himself in December 2008 and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in 2009, but was thought to be recovering.

On October 1 last year, his stepdaughter Samantha Hogger went to his two-bedroom house after he failed to answer his phone.

Mr Shepherd had told her days earlier an old schoolfriend was staying with him, so should not visit, as he would be out and about a lot.

When Mrs Hogger arrived, she spotted a note in the window saying “call fire brigade: carbon monoxide present”.

She followed the instructions on the note and firefighters and police officers arrived and soon made the grim discovery in an upstairs bedroom.

Insp Kevin Whipps said: “The fire service had to force entry into the house, so there was no third party involved.

“Information from a mobile phone found in the premises suggested the men met on a suicide website and made a pact with each other.”

Notes addressed to Mr Shepherd’s loved ones were later found in his house. Days later, friends of Mr Barrett received automated messages from a website.

Mr Barrett suffered with depression since his mother committed suicide in 1999 and was worried about his benefits being cut due to government changes.

Coroner Yvonne Blake delivered a double verdict of suicide.

She said: “I’m convinced Keith Shepherd and Anthony Barrett did intend the consequences of their actions.