The finding was handed down yesterday by coroner Karen Robinson in Sydney who appeared through a video link to Albury court where members of Mr Probert’s family were present.

Ms Robinson said Mr Probert, 47, worked as a cleaner on afternoon and evening shifts.

Evidence heard in Albury last week indicated in the month leading up to his death there was a change in his behaviour.

There was evidence he had withdrawn from people close to him.

Ms Robinson said Mr Probert made an emergency call for ambulance assistance early on December 6 and died a short time later after being taken to the Albury hospital.

He had suffered a knife wound which punctured his heart and lung with the major blood loss being in the kitchen of his Alexandra Street unit, but in other rooms as well.

It was during a conversation with an ambulance call-taker that the possibility of someone else being in the unit was raised.

“The matter was initially treated as a homicide,” Ms Robinson said.

She said there was a police investigation into the possible involvement of a third person, but evidence ruled that out.

Ms Robinson said there had been no noise heard by neighbours along with an absence of evidence involving a struggle or someone in the unit.

The matter was referred to a forensic psychologist, who considered Mr Probert’s short, angry and sometimes aggressive outbursts for brief periods leading up to his death.

Mr Probert had unstable mental health leading up to his death, possibly suffered thought confusion and stabbed himself.

Ms Robinson said on the balance of probabilities Mr Probert had inflicted the fatal wound but “there was subsequently a lack of intention for him to take his own life”.

Mr Probert’s brother, Matthew, mother June, sister Sandra Walker and brother-in-law Paul Walker were present for the finding.

They expressed their thanks to the police for the compassion shown to them during the investigation and subsequently.