Matthew Amos found hanged in Totton bin shed, inquest at Winchester Coroners' Court hears

A 36-YEAR-OLD man who battled drug abuse for years will be "sorely missed" by his family after he was found hanged in a bin shed, an inquest heard.

A refuse collector found the body of Matthew Amos in Water Lane in Totton, where he lived, Winchester Coroners' Court was told.

The hearing was informed how Matthew had experienced decades of drug abuse as an adult, despite being described by his mother, Linda Amos, as a "good boy" in his youth.

In a statement, Mrs Amos said that as a teenager living at the family home in Totton, he “never got into trouble”.

But he later formed a relationship with an older woman, she said, who had “got him addicted to drugs” including heroin.

She described her as a “spiteful and nasty person” who was a “bad influence”.

Mrs Amos said her son started to shoplift to fund his addiction and went to jail several times as a result.

In his 20s he met another woman and moved to Norfolk where he became “clean” for several years. He gave up drugs and the couple had two children.

But after they split up Matthew relapsed and started taking drugs again, including so-called spice, a synthetic version of cannabis.

His mental health deteriorated and he became homeless.

His mother said she had last seen him the day before he died when she gave him some money.

She said: “He had a big smile. Matthew had a heart of gold and would have done anything for me.

"He was an amazing person and will be sorely missed.”

Giving a verdict of suicide, coroner senior coroner Christopher Wilkinson said: "Matthew has led a very desperate and sad life despite help from all those around him including his family.”

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