A FATHER who hanged himself was “unable to cope” with his life, an inquest heard.

David Leonard Marsh, of Old Basing, was found hanged in Mapledurwell woods on September 16 after his friend contacted police to confirm he was missing.

At Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court, on November1, the inquest heard how Mr Marsh, a former taxi driver, had battled with long periods of depression and anxiety.

In a toxicology report carried out at Basingstoke hospital, Mr Marsh’s body was found to be 2.6 times over the drink-drive limit.

Vivian Green, a friend of Mr Marsh’s since 2010, told the inquest that she had lived with him sporadically since 2011.

She said he would often go for a walk in Mapledurwell woods before drinking at local pub The Gamekeepers.

Ms Green said: “On September 13, David went out like normal but at the time he stopped and blew me kisses. He had never done that before. It was the last time I saw him.”

She added: “He would have helped anybody but when he didn’t answer my calls I knew something was wrong.”

Mr Marsh’s daughter, Jodie Marsh, said: “On September 13, I was meant to meet him for a drink but spoke on the phone to say I wasn’t up to it.

“I had a phone call from Vivian asking if I had heard from him and then I knew at that point he had lost his life.”

Ms Green initially contacted the Samaritans for advice on Mr Marsh’s whereabouts, but contacted the police on September 16.

PC Mann, from Basingstoke police, was assigned to the case and along with PC Hunter searched three sections of Mapledurwell woods.

PC Manns said: “I went with Jodie to show her exactly where I found her dad. “We went deep into the woods – it was as if he was being considerate to them as he wasn’t easy to find.”

In delivering a suicide verdict, coroner Andrew Bradley said: “David was a man much loved and cared for. It’s significant that after a lifetime of anxiety and depression, he clearly had suffered for his life.”

Speaking afterwards, Miss Marsh paid tribute to her "wonderful" father.

She said: "He was the most incredible dad and friend to so many people.

"He was much-loved and will be missed a lot.

"He was a very special soul."