A BEXLEYHEATH man was found hanged in Bursted Wood by his wife.

House-husband Lee Stockley, 46, was found suspended from a branch by his wife Samantha at around 7.50am on June 8 this year.

An inquest at Croydon Coroner’s Court today heard how Mr Stockley left his home in nearby Grasmere Road in the early hours of that morning.

Giving evidence during the hearing, Detective Inspector Mark Bird said “marital problems” or a “disagreement” with his wife may have been the reason he left the home.

Det Insp Bird, who is based at Bexleyheath police station, told the court: “When we arrived there were two London Ambulance crews as well as Sam and a member of the public.

“I spoke to the lady and she said she had been walking her dog and met Samantha in a distressed state in the wooded area, saying she had found her husband hanging.”

He added: “There was no suggestion of a third party involved and no evidence of anyone else being there around the body.”

Reports read out in court from Mr Stockley’s GP explained how he suffered from depression in 2009.

A post-mortem examination showed he had been drinking alcohol before his death and was around one-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit when he died.

No suicide note was found and the medical cause of death was determined as asphyxia due to suspension.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Coroner Dr Roy Palmer said: “I’m afraid one always can answer how things happen but very seldom why things happen.

“He went out in the night to a secluded spot. There was no one else around.

“It is not as though it was a cry for help that went wrong – I don’t have any evidence to suggest that was the case here.”