A FATHER who was found dead in some woods during lockdown had become stressed about money, an inquest heard.

Daniel Brent died on the evening of November 21 last year.

The 61-year-old father-of-two was found in the woods near Waterhall Playing Fields in Brighton. 

At the inquest into his death on Wednesday at Brighton Coroner's Court, the court heard Daniel, a taxi driver who lived in Heston Avenue, Brighton, had gone out earlier that day to walk his family's dog Floki.

At about midday his daughter Ruby received a call from him to say he had lost Floki, and he sounded stressed.

The Argus: Waterhall Playing Fields, Brighton. Photo: GoogleWaterhall Playing Fields, Brighton. Photo: Google

Ruby and her boyfriend Craig also went out looking for the dog, separately to Daniel, and spent hours searching for Floki, with no success.

Later in the evening Ruby became worried about her father as she had not seen or heard from him since about 2pm and he was not answering the phone.

Police were called when she saw someone in the woods and became alarmed.

Officers contacted the ambulance service, who arrived at the scene at 9.05pm, but paramedics confirmed his death at 9.15pm.

In a statement read out in court, Ruby described her father as a fit man who had not experienced mental health problems in the past.

He had been made redundant from his job as a project manager in London about three years ago and the family had moved from Crawley to Brighton, where he became a taxi driver.

Daniel became worried about his income after the coronavirus pandemic took its toll on his business, the court heard.

In her statement Ruby said: "When the first lockdown finished he was working long hours. During the summer we had happy days.

"During October taxi business slowed down and this worried Dad, and the second national lockdown caused business to decline completely.

"We did speak to Dad and said it was OK, the bills were being paid and we would get through it.

"He was stressed about money and would be out all the time trying to get fares, but he never had clients most days.

"In the middle of November he started working on his days off."

DS Peter Davis said no evidence was found to suggest Daniel was planning on ending his life, and there was no evidence of third party involvement.

No alcohol or substances were found in Daniel's body at the time of his death.

Assistant coroner Sarah Clarke recorded a conclusion of suicide.

She said: “I’m satisfied to the relevant standard of proof that Daniel took his own life and intended to do so. I’m unable to find any other explanation.”

Daniel's death came as a huge shock to his family.

In her statement, Ruby said: “We grew up in Crawley and had a very happy life together.

"I would always look forward to the weekends and we had great family holidays.

“We will never know how this happened.

"I think he had a bad day and his brain could not process it. He may have been terrified at the thought of Floki being lost.

"We loved Dad so much and miss him dreadfully.”

The Samaritans charity provides support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide. Their helpline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 116 123.