A BAR manager was found dead by his girlfriend after taking his own life.

Pitcher and Piano manager Justin Brown, 30, was discovered by his girlfriend after at his home in Hove.

The couple had been having problems with their relationship, an inquest at Brighton Coroner’s Court heard yesterday.

Mr Brown was described as “fine” by a colleague who chatted to him at length at the bar he ran in Kings Road, Brighton, before he left Pitcher and Piano around 1am on Sunday, October 15 last year.

He returned to his flat in Western Road, Hove, where he died.

His girlfriend of four years Emily McLeod was returning from a weekend away when she discovered Mr Brown’s lifeless body.

An ambulance crew later pronounced him dead at the scene at 3.25pm.

PC Maria Skinner said on attending the property she saw a hysterical Miss McLeod on the floor outside the flat being comforted by a member of the public.

Miss McLeod said in a statement she knew her boyfriend Mr Brown had been “sad and depressed” but his death had come as a complete shock.

The couple had met while Mr Brown was working in Manchester and Miss McLeod had been attending university there.

Colleagues felt the couple were having some issues with their relationship.

Pathologist Dr David Wright said Mr Brown died as a result of hanging.

Mr Brown was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

He had worked around the country before settling in Brighton.

He previously managed popular Shoreditch bar Bluu in Hoxton Square before it was closed by the council due to noise issues.

His father Roy Brown, remembering his son, told the court: “He liked the Blues and 80s music.

“And the last time we saw him we had an enjoyable drive to Brighton and his mum gave him a hug goodbye.”

Senior coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley said: “I am going to record the conclusion Mr Brown took his own life.

“I can only offer my inadequate sympathies and condolence to his family and friends for their loss.”

Speaking to The Argus his mother Christine Brown said: "He was such a wonderful son in terms of how he treated me and other people."

"He was also a giving person and donated monthly to disability charity Scope. He cared very deeply about things."

Her son was a big American football fan and supported the Los Angeles Rams.

Unfortunately he did not live to watch his team play at Twickenham Stadium a week after his death as planned.

In tribute his father and brother Christopher took his jersey to the game and watched his team win. 

Mrs Brown added: "He had a wicked sense of humour. Everyone was fond of his terrible jokes, and he was so funny.

"He lit up the room, and he was loved by lots of people."