A DAUGHTER has paid tribute to her ‘loving father’ after he took his own life in a Hampshire industrial estate.

Peter Lowe was found unconscious by his half-brother in an old Mini car at a garage in Williams Industrial Park, New Milton, where he had been working, Winchester Coroner’s Court heard.

The 47-year-old mechanic had been taking anti depressants following the breakdown of his long-term relationship.

His half-brother Jason Ashton found him in the garage and tried to save his life before 999 crews arrived. They took him to hospital but he died later that day,

On June 17, Mr Lowe’s half brother Jason Ashton had become concerned about his safety after a friend asked about Mr Lowe’s whereabouts as he was not returning calls – something Mr Ashton thought was out of the ordinary.

Mr Ashton, from Parkstone in Poole, said: “It wasn’t until about 8pm that I saw a status on Peter’s Facebook [profile]. I thought it was a bit weird. Billy [Mr Lowe’s friend] came round to the house and asked if I knew where Peter was.

“I saw he was in New Milton on the status and I knew there was only one place he would be, so I jumped in the car.”

Mr Ashton rushed to the garage in New Milton at around 9.15pm, where he could hear music coming from behind the locked shutters.

Fearing the worst, Mr Ashton then kicked down a side door to gain entry before dialling 999 and performing CPR in a bid to save Mr Lowe’s life.

Mr Lowe was rushed to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital but was pronounced dead later that day. A suicide note was found in the Mini, along with a number of letters addressed to members of his family in his car parked outside.

The inquest heard Mr Lowe, who lived in Northey Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth had also had relationship with Maria Begg which broke down in November last year. However in December she discovered she was pregnant.

She said: “Whilst I admit things were difficult, he had seemed to be happy about having a son. His own words were everything was coming together.

“I was surprised at what happened.”

Miss Begg said that Mr Lowe had problems with trust during the relationship and had also become “paranoid” that he was not the father of the baby. She added: “I tried to reassure him that he was but he wouldn’t believe me.”

Recording a verdict of suicide Grahame Short said: “This was a man that had determined he would end his life.”

After the inquest his daughter Daniella said: “He was a loving father, grandfather, brother and son. He will be really missed.”

Mr Lowe had three daughters and two sons.