Family pays tribute to ‘extremely popular’ Winchester man Alain Maier who found dead behind Friarsgate doctors’

Alain Maier, 29, was discovered by a woman heading to work at The Friarsgate Practice in Winchester, along with a bottle of brandy, but was already dead.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Maier, of Complin Place, had been abandoned by his mother in Ecuador days after being born and was adopted by Patricia and Thomas Maier, before being brought back to the UK at the age of two.

Ms Maier, who split up with her husband several years ago, said he was “troubled” and developed an alcohol problem in his mid teens, but added: “He had lots of friends, he was extremely popular. He was very fit and played a lot sport.”

The inquest heard that despite numerous attempts to help Mr Maier get past his alcohol problems, the issue only became worse.

Dr Helen Crossley, a consultant at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, said that since 2015, Mr Maier had been admitted to A&E more than 30 times for alcohol-related problems.

The inquest heard that Mr Maier also suffered from anxiety, for which he used alcohol to self-medicate.

Recording a conclusion of alcohol-related death, coroner Grahame Short said he was unsure when Mr Maier died, as he was last seen at around 1.30pm the day before he was discovered last September. Mr Short added: “I think he was a troubled soul. It is very sad he ended his life in this way, he was clearly well liked.”

Mr Maier’s adoptive father Thomas said: “He was a kind, sharing and devoted son and friend. I miss him.”

His stepmother Andrea Lewis added: “I would like Alain to be remembered as a kind and loving person.”

Since his death, a number of friends have paid their respects to Mr Maier on his Facebook page. Kate Daniels said: “There have been so many funny times over the years and there is no way you will be forgotten,” while Tom Shaw wrote: “As much as we will miss him, there’s a lot we can learn from Alain, one of the most out going people I’ve ever known.”