A BINGE DRINKER who never got over his younger brother's death five years ago was discovered hanged by his parents.

An inquest into the death of Stuart Simpson, 42, heard how his father Robert and his mother discovered their son's body at their home in Oakenholt House, Hartslock Drive, Thamesmead, on September 30 last year.

Mr Simpson said his son had been a binge drinker who suffered from depression.

He added: "He lost his brother in a motorcycle accident and since then he just didn't want to live. They were very close."

Mr Simpson said he and his wife arrived home to discover their son hanging by his belt between the sitting room and kitchen.

He said: "We had no idea he was going to do it."

The court heard Stuart had been married in 1985 and divorced three years later.

He had also taken a drug overdose in the past.

Pathologist Dr David Coombe said a post-mortem examination revealed Mr Simpson consumed enough alcohol to be three times over the drink-drive limit and had taken cocaine.

The cause of his death was asphyxia with alcohol toxication as a contributory factor.

Recording an open verdict, Croydon coroner Dr Roy Palmer said there was not enough evidence he had intended to kill himself.