THE body of a man was discovered by a dog walker in woodland in Southampton.

An inquest heard how Marcelino Wichman was found hanged in Hum Hole, Bitterne, pictured.

Found near his body was a bottle of rum and a backpack containing an unopened six pack of lager and a half empty bottle of brandy.

The 52 year-old had a history of mental illness and had previously been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

The painter and decorator had been admitted to Ravenswood house hospital under the mental health act in 2005, but had been discharged to Dibden View care home in Gosport in September of 2016.

Mr Wichman had been receiving treatment at the assisted accommodation at the time of his death and was responding well to treatment.

Shaun Golding a forensic social worker said: “He appeared cheerful, and happy and wasn’t on any drugs.”

Jon Bartlett manager at Dibden View said that they decided to called police after Mr Winchman did not return home at 8pm the previous evening and his phone was off.

Police searched Mr Wichman’s room but could find no evidence to suggest where he had gone or that he intended to take his own life.

Ivor Wichman said on hearing the news of his brother’s death: “I was really taken aback. It was right out of the blue.”

A post mortem concluded that Mr Wichman had died as the result of hanging, and accompanying toxicology report only found therapeutic levels of medication and a small amount of alcohol but not enough to conclude he was intoxicated at the time of his death.

Senior Coroner Grahame Short said: “I do not know the reason why he chose to take his life at this time but I am sure he intended to.”

He concluded that Mr Wichman’s death in April was the result of suicide.