The former head of the Royal Marines died as a result of hanging after having 'concerns about his marriage and service career', a hearing to open the inquest into his death was told today.
Major General Matthew Holmes, 54, was found in a bedroom at his home in Winchester, Hampshire, on October 2 - and his body was formally identified by his wife Lea, the inquest heard.
Police also attended another unspecified incident at the family home on September 22. Major General Holmes, who served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, was Commandant General from 2019 until April.
Hampshire coroner Jason Pegg told the hearing in Winchester today: 'It's suspected that Matthew Holmes had a number of concerns at the time of his death including matters relating to his marriage and his service career.'
Major General Holmes commanded 42 Commando Royal Marines from 2006 to 2008 and was appointed as a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership on operations in Afghanistan in 2007.
The father-of-two was also awarded a CBE in 2019 and has been described as 'one of our most senior and highly decorated Royal Marines'. The inquest was adjourned for a full hearing on February 10 next year.
The hearing came after the Daily Mail revealed last week that Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the newly appointed head of the Armed Forces, undermined Major General Holmes, according to messages from the officer.
Former First Sea Lord Sir Tony became the first naval officer for two decades to land the top job and will lead 159,000 soldiers, sailors and air personnel from next month.
Major General Matthew Holmes, who has died, won the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership on the frontline in Afghanistan. He is pictured with his wife Lea and daughter Eleanor after receiving the award at Buckingham Palace in 2007
Major General Matthew Holmes welcomes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to the Royal Albert Hall in London in March 2020
Major General Matthew Holmes receives the Distinguished Service Order from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2007
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was claimed to have overruled the military to ensure Sir Tony was appointed as Chief of the Defence Staff - even going against his own Defence Secretary's advice.
Defence sources told the Daily Telegraph that Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had recommended promoting General Sir Patrick Sanders, who is in charge of the country's Special Forces and military cyber operations.
The Ministry of Defence is also understood to have favoured Sir Patrick for the role, but the Prime Minister went against this and opted for former First Sea Lord Sir Tony. This is understood to have been because of Sir Tony's naval background, which is seen as being vital to the Government's ambitions to build better global trading links.
Sir Tony and Major General Holmes were previously close
