The remains of Bir Poudel was found near the Mangaone Stream. File photo. Photo: Palmerston North City Council
The death of a Palmerston North man - whose body was found months after he left his home for a walk - has been ruled a suicide.
Coroner Mark Wilton has ruled Bir Poudel died on or about 23 October 2020. His remains were found seven months later.
Poudel, 69, was a former refugee from Bhutan and his death has prompted Wilton to remind people in such situations that help is available.
The coroner did not make any recommendations.
"I have no evidence that is suggestive of any shortcomings in the support that was available to Mr Poudel and his family upon migration to New Zealand, in a way that might have made any contribution to his death."
However, the coroner noted a World Health Organisation report that found refugees and migrants were vulnerable to mental health conditions because of the challenges and stresses they had faced.
"One of the issues raised in the report was that refugees and migrants often do not prioritise their mental health because they are unaware of the resources available to them."
Coroner Wilton said organisations such as Te Whatu Ora Health NZ through its programme for refugees and internally displaced people, the How 2 Te Ako Charitable Trust and the Red Cross offered support.
Poudel was born in Bhutan and was of Nepali ethnicity. He and his wife, Dirga Poudel, left Bhutan in 1992 due to ethnic persecution, living in refugee camps in Nepal. The family resettled in New Zealand in 2015.
At the time of his disappearance, Poudel lived in Palmerston North with his wife, their eldest son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons.
Dirga Poudel said her husband had several times complained of dizziness before his disappearance, and had become disorientated when out walking. He'd returned home on those occasions after asking people for help.
Bir Poudel had also grown increasingly grumpy in the past year.
"She said that as a result the family had become concerned that Mr Poudel may be suffering from mental health issues and had discussed having him medically checked."
Bir Poudel's son Gopal Poudyel also noticed his father was getting irritable over minor issues in the week before his disappearance, and the pair had disagreements.
On 23 October 2020 Bir Poudel picked flowers for an upcoming Nepali festival before saying goodbye to his grandsons and setting off on foot about 8.30am, without mentioning where he was going. This was not unusual and he often visited people during the day, before arriving home in the evenings.
When he did not return for the festival that afternoon his family grew concerned. In the coming days and weeks a huge search combed the area, but did not find him.
His remains were found near the Mangaone Stream, not too far from his house in the suburb of Milson, on May 20, 2021.
Coroner Wilton found his death was self-inflicted.
