A "HARDWORKING and lovely" man was found dead at his parent's home in Southampton.

Steven Paul Hay was found hanged in the attic of his family home in Cornwall Road, Southampton on February 18 this year.

The 28-year-old plumber was discovered by his mother, Lorraine, that afternoon.

She called an ambulance but Steve was pronounced dead shortly after.

A post mortem by a consultant said that the cause of death was by hanging, and the coroner ruled that Mr Hay took his own life.

Blood and urine samples taken during a post-mortem showed traces of cannabis, cocaine and alcohol in his blood.

During an inquest into Mr Hay's death at Winchester Coroner's Court, it was revealed he had struggled with depression and anxiety in the past.

Anti-anxiety drugs had left him "suffering from insomnia and with low moods".

Steve had warned he could take his own life in the past, it was said at the inquest.

His mother described him as a lovely boy and said: "He was a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character."

"We don't know why he did it. He never talked about how he was feeling."

Area Coroner, Jason Pegg, told how Mr Hay had lost his job in October 2019.

He was upset and worried it would set him back.

Mr Hay later secured work with a friend, but was worried about a potential driving conviction, losing his licence and not being able to work.

The day he died, his girlfriend, Jennifer Davies, received a call from his boss saying he had not turned up for work.

She called him 70 times but when she finally got through, the police answered to say Mr Hay had passed away.

Coroner Mr Pegg said: "It was quite clear Steve was from a loving and supporting family."

He recorded a verdict of suicide.