A 26-year-old man killed himself following the break-up of a long-term relationship, an inquest heard.

Stephen Pritchard, of Chapel Lane, Bransford, was found dead with a length of blue rope around his neck, which was attached over a door to a television cabinet, in the flat he used to live in on Sunday, August 21.

An inquest on Tuesday, October 18 was told how he had separated from his partner Grace Hinnett earlier in the month and suggested he may jump from the flat’s balcony and looked on the internet for ways to take his own life.

Speaking at the coroner’s court in Stourport deputy coroner Marguerite Elcock said he had killed himself. The medical cause of death was given as cardiorespiratory arrest due to pressure on the neck due to suspension by a ligature.

He was found slumped in a doorway the same afternoon by Miss Hinnett, who had left him sorting out his belongings in the flat. A note written by Mr Pritchard was also found.

Miss Hinnett described Mr Pritchard as a quiet person but did not think he was going to take his own life.

She said: “He was sad. He mentioned a week previously he had though about things but he did not elaborate on it mainly because I told him I did not want to hear it. I did not think he might want to do something.”