Professional gambler Robert Moore, found dead in his flat on Saturday, had rejected friends' pleas that he seek help for his depression, they revealed yesterday.
He had escaped from hospital after an earlier suicide attempt, they said.
Bruce Ridgway, who was with the colourful 44-year-old New Zealander when he tried to commit suicide last Monday, said he had manipulated doctors to get sleeping pills. He had refused advice from friends and medical emergency services that he needed surveillance.
'There were 16 police and ambulance officers in the room, with the psychiatrist and myself all trying to talk Bob into going to the hospital,' Mr Ridgway said.
'But he didn't want to go. He was completely of the opinion that it didn't matter what the hospital did for him, it was up to a person to decide what he was going to do.
'He has always been in control of his destiny - he arrived in Hong Kong with virtually nothing and made a fortune.' Moore had also attempted suicide on Wednesday. He was found dead in his Happy Valley flat on Saturday after apparently swallowing 10 bags of sleeping pills and turning on his gas cooker. He had tipped two winning horses the same day.