A MAN found dead at his Bournemouth flat had killed himself, an inquest hearing has heard.

The body of Peter James Monteith was discovered on the morning of November 19 last year.

On Wednesday, February 17, at Dorset Coroner's Court, Bournemouth Town Hall, an inquest hearing took place into the death of the 32-year-old.

During the hearing, presided over by coroner Brendan Allen, a statement was read to court from Mr Monteith's mother, Amanda Bailey-Burnley.

Her statement said: "Peter was a popular young man... always bright and cheery externally, but suffered with depression at times."

The court also heard that Mr Monteith, a father-of-one, had broken up with his long-term girlfriend earlier in the year.

According to his mother's statement, he was in the process of working out access to his seven-year-old son, but this process was "proving tricky."

Mr Monteith, an events technician/sound engineer by profession, had worked on events at Twickenham Stadium, Wembley Arena, The BIC and The Bournemouth Air Show.

Peter Butler, father of Mr Monteith, described his son in a statement read to court as a "loving person who loved his mum, brother and his son."

The court heard that on the morning of November 19, last year, Mr Monteith's landlord had arrived at the property – where there are six flats – to carry out a scheduled fire alarm test.

He'd attempted to contact Mr Monteith to let him know he was coming, but his texts had gone unanswered.

After knocking on Mr Monteith's door, he used a key to access the flat and found the body.

Police arrived and carried out an investigation.

A post mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as hanging.

The hearing also heard Mr Monteith had a history of self harm as a teenager, and had engaged with a counselling service in the summer before his death.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Allen said: "I am satisfied on the basis of the evidence available to me that Mr Monteith was alone within his flat when he took his own life.

"I am satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances and no third party involvement.

"There is no evidence to suggest Mr Monteith would not have known the consequence of his actions.

"I am satisfied this was not a cry for help – there is no evidence to suggest he had contacted anyone to tell them what he was planning."

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