23 Sep 2014

Death not caused by bullying - inquest

6:15 pm on 23 September 2014

A coroner has ruled that the death of a Waikato Museum educator was not caused by bullying by his employer the Hamilton City Council.

Raymond Mayes, 55, took his own life in June last year within view of the museum, sparking allegations by his wife of institutional bullying.

Dr Mayes had held on to his job at the museum after it underwent restructuring, but was still under stress.

His family claim his death could have been prevented if the council had been more supportive.

But Coroner Wallace Bain says there was no evidence presented at an inquest last month to support the claim.

In his ruling released today, Dr Bain said the stress Dr Mayes was under was the same that occurred with any restructuring, and the changes at the museum were no different.

Dr Bain did not make any adverse findings against the council or its staff.

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