A FATHER-OF-FIVE found drowned at a Hampshire beach had been under investigation by police, an inquest has heard.

Laurence Curran, known to friends as Larry, was discovered dead by dog walkers at Warsash and an inquest concluded he took his own life.

The hearing held in Portsmouth was told how he was on bail at the time after being arrested on suspicion of a serious offence.

A couple walking their dog on the beach near the Warsash Maritime Academy came across Mr Curran, who was floating face down in ankle deep water close to the shoreline.

They had spotted a rucksack containing Mr Curran's belongings on the beach at around 6.40am on April 30 but it was only when they walked back that they noticed a person and called police, who pronounced Mr Curran dead at the scene.

The 62-year-old's car was later found in a car park opposite the Rising Sun pub in Warsash half a mile away and police think it likely he had drunk there before his death.

Police found no evidence Mr Curran had been attacked and, on visiting Mr Curran's flat, in West Dene Court, Warsash Road, Locks Heath, found a box next to his bed.

Investigating officer Det Sgt Doug Utting, of Portsmouth CID, said it "contained everything you would want in the event of someone's passing" including money for a funeral, a will, how to contact next of kin and insurance documents.

There was also a post-it note in the kitchen, which Det Sgt Utting said appeared to indicate his intention to do something on April 29 as it mentioned the pub, the date and had a drawing of a stick man with a halo.

Irish-born Mr Curran had lived in England since 2009 due to his work as a pipe design consultant and was employed at BPE, a Chemical Engineering Consultancy in Colden Common, where he had recently been promoted and was a respected colleague, the inquest heard.

Det Sgt Utting said Mr Curran had been arrested on suspicion of a "serious offence" following information from Kent Police.

He was interviewed and bailed several times while enquiries continued and had been due to be at Fareham Police Station on the morning his body was found.

The inquest also heard Mr Curran who was divorced and lived alone, had lost his mother on April 11 leaving him quite nostalgic and upset, according to family.

But on his last contact with them on his birthday, April 26, he had not given cause for concern.

A post mortem found alcohol in Mr Curran's blood 2.7 times the drink drive limit.

David Horsley, coroner for Portsmouth and south east Hampshire, said it was quite clear Mr Curran had decided he wanted to end his life.

Some of Mr Curran's children attended the inquest but did not want to speak to the Daily Echo.