From the https://www.kentlive.news By Debbie King, 12 September 2019.

Dad took his own life in Tunbridge Wells after telling friends 'he was going on cocaine bender'

Colin Smithers, 38, was last seen drinking in The Guinea in Tunbridge Wells.

A dad told friends he had bowel cancer before hanging himself in Tunbridge Wells woodland.

Colin Smithers, 38, took his own life after falling out with family and friends and telling one he was going on a "cocaine bender".

The separated father-of-one, who shared a flat with a friend in Whitehall Road, Crowborough, was last seen drinking in The Guinea in Calverley Road on June 21, and inquest heard yesterday (September 11).

Two days before Mr Smithers had taken an Airbnb in the town but cancelled after one night, telling the owner his plans had changed and he was returning to Oxford on business.

His body was found on July 2 by a policeman investigating a burglary in Hungershall Park on the Common.

Detective Inspector Rachael Cumberland told the inquest at the Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone the officer had been looking for dropped stolen goods when he spotted Mr Smithers body hanging from a tree in a secluded area of woodland.

She told the inquest friends and family had told police that he lied about having cancer.

Senior coroner Roger Hatch said having listened to all the evidence he was confident the cause of death was due to suicide and he expressed his sympathy to the family.