A YOUNG man whose body was found by the side of the river at Sharpness Docks earlier this year had committed suicide shortly after coming out as gay, an inquest has heard.


Popular 23-year-old Darren Crotty was reported missing on March 5 but his body was not found at Sharpness until April 29.


The inquest at Gloucestershire coroner's court heard today that Darren, of Bishopston, Bristol, had marked the letter S on his calendar and penned a detailed suicide note which he left under his pillow before jumping off the Severn Bridge.


The inquest heard that Mr Crotty's blue Vauxhall Corsa was found parked in the Severn Bridge car park at Aust but police examination of CCTV footage picked up no sign of him.


Although family and friends fully accepted Darren Crotty's declaration that he was gay he was probably embarrassed about it and it may have been the trigger for his suicide, senior coroner for Gloucestershire Katy Skerrett was told.


Several of Darren's friends gave evidence to the court.


Darren's mother told the inquest: "He was a quiet, intelligent boy with a good sense of humour."

The coroner reached a conclusion of suicide.