I died the same day he did, says partner of suicide banker

 
“Under pressure: tragic banker Michael Burdin with his partner Mandy Sroka
Nick Hodgson3 July 2013

The devastated partner of a high-flying banker who killed himself after losing his job said today: “I died the day he died.”

Michael Burdin, 50, jumped in front of a train after losing his job as foreign exchange manager at the Bank of America in London.

Mandy Sroka told his inquest he was defined by his career and was devastated at being put out of work.

She told the Standard of her shock at his death, adding that he was a “funny and confident” father of one who loved music and rugby.

“If you stood in a room with 1,000 people you’d notice Michael,” she said. “Everyone is in total shock because he was so popular.”

The inquest heard that he had been put under “tremendous pressure” to resign. Ms Sroka, 45, from Epping, said in a statement to yesterday’s inquest at Westminster coroner’s court: “The way he was treated turned a very articulate man into a shell.

“He was down because he had not been able to secure positions in the banking sector and had decided to move to Yorkshire.

“If he had not lost his job he would still be alive today. I’ve no doubt in my mind that the reason Michael took his own life was because he lost his job.”

Ms Sroka told the Standard: “He had given everything to his career and he felt he was a failure. His death was a total shock. I died the day he died.”

Mr Burdin was struck down by a fast train at Wimbledon station shortly after 1pm on October 31 last year. He had left a note to Ms Sroka at their home in Shepperley.

Deputy coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said as she recorded a verdict of suicide: “This is a very difficult age for a male who has lost his job.” Mr Burdin was originally from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, but lived in South Africa from the age of six until moving back to Britain in 1997.

He met Ms Sroka, a senior payments clerk, when they were both working at ABM Amro 15 years ago. To add to the tragedy, his mother died “of a broken heart” two months ago, said Ms Sroka. The bank declined to comment.

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