MOVING tributes have been paid to a “wonderful, loving” man who took his own life at the age of 47.

The body of Jonathan Morgan was found by a dog walker in the wooded area of Ashen Copse, Wroughton, just yards from his home on May 2.

Jonathan, described by family members as “a bright and brilliant human being”, was diagnosed with depression and various social phobias at the age of 25.

The construction worker and Manchester United fan had for many years suffered with mental health problems and had fought an addiction to alcohol.

The inquest into his death took place on Thursday at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court in Salisbury.

The court heard that in April Jonathan had visited his GP , who had told him that he must cut down on drinking for the sake of his health.

He concluded that the best thing would be to stop consuming alcohol completely, so he decided to go cold turkey.

Later that same month he returned to his GP after suffering adverse reactions as a result of his decision to stop drinking.

But Jonathan had confused his symptoms and, the court heard, was convinced that he was living with cancer.

It was this anguish over the road that potentially lay ahead that eventually forced him to take his own life on the morning of Tuesday, May 2.

It was an act described by assistant coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon Nicholas Rheinberg as “a brave decision not to put his family through the torment of watching him suffer”.

Jonathan’s mother Heather said: “Most of the time he was cheerful and buoyant, good-tempered and never cross, even when I nagged him on occasions.

“He was a wonderful, wonderful man and we will miss him enormously.”

After a brief adjournment, Mr Rheinberg concluded that suicide by hanging had been the cause of death.

He said: “Jonathan had a perfectly normal childhood and seemed to enjoy life.

“He was an adventurous man who liked to travel.

“He clearly derived a lot of joy from his life living at home and in recent times he was perhaps just starting to come out of his shell, going for long walks which he clearly enjoyed.

“Unfortunately, Jonathan took the doctor’s advice to the extreme and withdrew from alcohol completely.

“Tragically, he misinterpreted his symptoms and became convinced that he was dying of cancer.”

In the days leading up to his death, Jonathan was described by his brother Timothy as “strong, chatty and confident”.

Mr Rheinberg urged the grieving family not to blame themselves in any way for Jonathan’s death.

It was, he said, something “you couldn’t have done anything to prevent”.

  • The Samaritans are available to help anybody in distress and can be reached at any time free on 116 123 or by email at jo@samaritans.org