AN ASSISTANT pub manager known to have “chronic low moods” hanged himself in woodland.

Ed Matthews’ body was found by the police on June 30 near Whitehawk Hill Road, Brighton.

On June 27 Mr Matthews called the Brunswick pub where he worked to say he was feeling unwell and asked someone to cover his shift.

His colleagues said they were worried after not seeing Mr Matthews for days, his inquest at Brighton and Hove Coroners’ Court at Woodvale heard.

His flatmate, Ben Bartup, grew concerned having not seen Mr Matthews since June 26 and left him a note in their flat in Belle Vue Gardens, Kemp Town.

He told the court they kept “missing each other” in the days leading up to his death.

On June 30 Mr Bartup discovered a note from Mr Matthews indicating his wish to end his own life.

The police were called at 12.33pm that day and found his phone. They discovered he had searched directions leading to the woods on his phone. They found his body there hanging from a tree shortly after.

Mr Matthews had a history of depression and “chronic low moods”.

He used to have treatment for his moods and was last prescribed medication from his GP at Preston Park Surgery on 2014.

Caroline Boyce, Mr Matthews’ mother, confirmed the handwriting in the letter was her son’s.

It expressed loving comments to family and friends and an explanation about why he chose to take his own life.

Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley said examinations of the body showed no sign of substance abuse and Detective Sergeant John McCreath from Sussex Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

Miss Hamilton-Deeley said the cause of death was hanging and “chronic low moods, depression and the small presence of alcohol” were “contributing factors.”

She concluded he took his own life and said the tragedy took place in an area she imagined Mr Matthews found “comfort and solace”.

Mr Matthews’ stepfather said the experience had been “utterly tragic” and the outcome was what they “expected”.

He told the court he wanted to thank Sussex Police who did a “superb job” in helping them handle the situation.