Tragic death of 'impressive' Exeter vet

A well-known Exeter vet who set up a 'hugely successful' practice in the city before becoming an international veterinary consultant tragically ended his life at home. An inquest at Exeter Coroner’s Court today, September 17, heard 52-year-old Christian Eiermann was found passed away in his bedroom on October 31, 2021, by his fiancee the day after they returned home from a holiday in Greece.

The dad-of-two was described by a close friend as having been an 'impressive person' who had an extensive network of friends from all walks of life and enjoyed skiing, ultramarathons, going to the gym and Christianity.

Mr Eiermann, who was born in Germany and lived in Ebford, took a fatal quantity of two veterinary drugs. Toxicology tests confirmed both the drugs detected in his body were currently only used in the UK in veterinary medication for pain relief and euthanasia. The medical cause of his death was fatal toxicity from both substances.

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In a statement, his fiancee told how they met on Tinder in October 2020 and eventually moved in together. She recalled there had been some arguments between them, but she had no concerns for his mental wellbeing.

While on holiday, she said an issue arose between them causing tension and when they returned home Mr Eiermann asked her to stay somewhere else that evening. She said she stayed with a friend and during the evening argumentive text messages were sent between them.

When she returned home around noon the following day, she found him lifeless in bed with a syringe laying nearby.

She said: "There was no inclination or forewarning he was going to take his own life. I'm shocked and confused by what has happened."

A close friend of Mr Eiermann's described him in a statement as being 'considered', fair-minded and pragmatic' and said he managed triumph and created a positive and meaningful life despite the tragic loss of one of his children.

He told how Mr Eiermann had worked in several veterinary practices before starting his own large veterinary practice called Companion Care from scratch and later sold it for a large amount of money to become an international veterinary consultant around the world. He said Mr Eiermann was not a depressed or anxious person.

Further evidence noted Mr Eiermann had no documented issues with his mental health. He had seen a counsellor regularly between October 2020 and April 2021 which was said to be an investment into his own wellbeing and understanding himself further. During the sessions, he was said to have not reported any significant problems or any thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

The counsellor said in a statement: "Suicide was never mentioned and it never appeared to be an an issue. Out of any client, Chris is the one I am most surprised about."

He added: "He was an open and intelligent man. I had no concerns whatsoever, far from it. His life was getting better and he was in a new relationship."

A police investigation concluded Mr Eiermann had taken his own life there were no suspicious circumstances or thrid party involvement. Evidence was found at his home of having made preparations to end his life and he had transferred a large sum of money into his fiancee's bank account the night before he passed away.

During the inquest, family members raised concerns about the quality of the police investigation that was carried out. The detective in the case assured the case had been reviewed and it was felt there was 'insufficient evidence to launch a criminal investigation'.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Alison Longhorn, area coroner for Devon, said: "Chris died... having self-administered a fatal concentration of drugs licensed for use in veterinary medication. He appears to have made preparations for his death prior to administering the drugs."

She continued: "He was a very experienced vet and had access to that medication and clearly knew the implications of taking it."

She added that although she was satisfied he intended to end his life, what was not clear from the evidence was why he did.

Mrs Longhorn said: "What is not apparent to me, and I can entirely understand for his loved ones it is a complete mystery, is why he chose to do so. It's really obvious Chris had a very successful career, very many friends and family who greatly respected and loved him."

Offering her condolences to his family and friends, she said: "Chris was very obviously a very impressive man who achieved a great deal in his life and I can’t imagine how much you all miss him."