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A man who was trying to give his fiancee a fright after an argument unintentionally killed himself with a nailgun, an inquest has revealed.
Damon Ra Sturmey, 39, died last August after he shot himself three times in the chest with a nailgun, puncturing his heart, the Taranaki Daily News reported.
He did not realise how badly he would hurt himself, New Plymouth coroner Timothy Scott said yesterday.
It was thought Mr Sturmey was trying to give his fiancee, Sarah-Lee Harlow, a fright after they had argued.
After being locked out of the house he returned in the morning and shot himself with a nailgun.
"I don't think he meant the wounds to be fatal," said Mr Scott.
He said he believed Mr Sturmey thought his wounds were more trivial than they were.
Mr Sturmey's sister, Niki, told the inquest the family could not accept that her brother would take his own life.
Another family member told the coroner they did not believe it was possible for someone to shoot themselves in the heart three times.
- NZPA
