British Indian actor Paul Bhattacharjee, best known for his role in the James Bond film "Casino Royale", committed suicide after being declared bankrupt, an inquest was informed today.
The 53-year-old played a doctor in the James Bond film and had a series of television and theatre productions to his credit. He was declared bankrupt shortly before his body was found at the bottom of cliffs in southeast England.
An inquest into his death was told today that he was a "proud" man who killed himself when bankruptcy proved "the final straw after a life of major highs and lows".
In a statement read out in court, his partner Emma McKie said: "I do believe that Paul would take his own life. He had a darkness inside him that was irreparable."
Gautam Paul Bhattacharjee, who grew up between India and the UK and lived in London, was last seen leaving rehearsals at Royal Court Theatre in London on July 10, the inquest at Eastbourne Magistrates' Court was told.
His body was found at Splash Point cliffs in East Sussex two days later and an autopsy concluded he died from multiple injuries.
The final text message McKie received from Bhattacharjee contained the words: "I'm sorry."
There was no evidence of drugs and a low blood alcohol reading of 42mg per 100ml, according to a report by toxicologist Andrew Smith of the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
East Sussex coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of suicide. "There isn't scope at all in this case and therefore the conclusion of this inquest will be that Gautam Paul Bhattacharjee took his own life whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed," he said.
