A dad troubled by personal tragedies said his goodbyes to family and friends before taking his own life in woods, an inquest has heard.

Ben Stone, 34, enjoyed a drink with pals the night before he died and spoke to his mother on the phone that evening.

Assistant coroner Eileen Sproson asked his mother, Debby Thrumble: "Do you think he was saying goodbye?"

Mrs Thrumble replied: "Yes, now looking back."

Demolition worker Mr Stone, from Birchington, had also texted others on the morning of his death, including his boss, saying he could not come into work but would be back the next day.

The inquest today heard that Mr Stone had been particularly distressed by the deaths of his father, brother and friend in recent years.

He had previously attempted suicide and talked about it.

He was found hanged in woodland in Margate close to the crematorium where his father and brother have a headstone.

After hearing the evidence, Ms Sproson, assistant coroner for north east Kent, concluded that Mr Stone had taken his own life.

Det Sgt Robert Goodban told the hearing that Mr Stone had been found hanged at Tivoli Woods on Monday, June 10 this year.

His body was discovered by a dog walker at 1.20pm that day.

A psychiatric report said Mr Stone suffered from depression and had a condition called EUPD, emotionally unstable personality disorder.

The inquest, at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone, heard he had previously tried to take his own life by hanging.

He was separated from his wife, with whom he had two daughters, aged 10 months and three years.

He had said that if he died they would be too young to remember him.

Mr Stone had been affected by the death of his father 10 years ago and his best friend Luke Williams from cancer five years ago.

He had also been traumatised by the loss of his brother, Lee Thrumble, who had hanged himself in Rochester Prison in April 2018.

But for a time he rallied, feeling more determined to live for his wife and children.

He believed that he had been given a second chance after what happened to his brother.

Despite improvements, he would also lapse, and in March this year tried to hang himself, writing a suicide note beforehand.

Mr Stone had been married for nine years and had a son from a previous relationship.

His widow, Rachael, had spoken at his funeral, which was attended by hundreds.

Now she said in a statement for the inquest that he was a loving and caring man but struggled with depression.

She said his behaviour from his mental health issues led to their marriage breaking down, but he still had access to his children.

Toxicololgy tests showed Mr Stone had cocaine in his system and MDMA, usually known as ecstasy, but these were at low and non-fatal levels.

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