A CORONER has ruled an open verdict into the death of a popular 30-year-old who was found dead by police in Hereford.

Billy Grisman was tragically found hanged in the garage at his home in Everest Crescent, Kings Acre on Sunday, November 30 last year.

He had last been seen in the early hours of the previous day when he left a friend’s house.

Herefordshire Coroner's Court heard Mr Grisman could be prone to low moods but nothing to cause alarm, and his friends and family were shocked at his death.

The inquest heard Mr Grisman, who was a gas engineer, had an on/off relationship with Lisa Rose for more than a year.

In a statement read to the court, Ms Rose said she believed their relationship was unhealthy and they were emotional crutches for each other.

Ms Rose said she ended their relationship in November as she felt they needed time apart.

On November 28 at 8.30pm Mr Grisman went to Ms Rose's house and they chatted. She said she knew he felt low about their relationship but she had no idea how low.

He later went to his friend's, Will Hutton. He was not drinking as he was driving and left in the early hours of Saturday morning, saying he would return in the morning to pick Mr Hutton up to go to a rugby match in Cardiff. He never arrived.

A missing person's appeal was launched, before he was found.

The inquest heard Mr Grisman was in debt, but was paying this back and had spoken to friends and family about it.

A toxicology report showed he had cocaine in his system when he died. The inquest heard Mr Grisman took cocaine recreationally and could be prone to low mood afterwards.

His dad, Gus Grisman, told the inquest his son was planning to emigrate to Australia.

He said he had no history of self harm and they were a close family.

Mr Grisman said: "Something sparked it in a moment. Whether it was a cry for help, I have no idea. I can't imagine him ever wanting to do that- he enjoyed life so much."

Coroner Mark Bricknell recorded an open verdict.

He said he was satisfied Mr Grisman took his own life, but not that he intended to do so, as he was an impulsive character and there was an element of cocaine in his system.

He said: "He clearly was the life and soul of the party. He enjoyed a good time- it does seem to be completely out of character that this incident has occurred."