American researcher Shane Todd had told his mother, Mrs Mary Todd, that he had not been depressed but was merely “anxious” because of work, according to the Todd family’s conditioned statements which were read out yesterday at the coroner’s inquiry.

Mrs Todd said in her statement that two months before his body was found on June 24 last year, Todd had “constantly” made comments during their conversations to suggest that his life was “in danger”.

She also said her son had sought help for depression and anxiety in 2003 while taking his Master’s degree and serving in the United States Air Force.

But when she asked him if he was depressed and needed help, his reply was: “No, I’m not depressed, I am anxious because I hate my job, I’m being asked to do things that compromise US security, and I feel my life is in danger.”

Nevertheless, her son did say that he had trouble focusing, his hands were “shaking more than normal”, he had interrupted sleep and he was “not as motivated”. On several occasions, Todd had also told his parents that “coming to Singapore was the worst mistake of my life”.

His parents pleaded with him to leave the country immediately but he replied that he was “a professional” and it would look bad to other companies if he did not honour the stipulated 60 days’ notice that he had to serve upon his resignation.

On Todd’s apparent suicide note, his parents and three brothers John, 29, Chet, 25, and Dylan, 21, said the note “lacked personal touch” and certain aspects “did not make sense at all” and that he would have expressed himself more “eloquently”.

“The act of committing suicide in a foreign country did not suit his personality,” his father Rick said in his statement.

He said he and his son last spoke on June 18 last year when his son had told him that he was “excited” to go back to the US. ASHLEY CHIA