AN ARCADE worker took his own life after sending texts to his brother in what a coroner believed to be signs of paranoia, an inquest heard.

Jonathan Guy Williamson died at the age of 43 near his home in Troutbeck Bridge on December 22, 2020, Cockermouth Coroner’s Court was told.

His adopted brother David Howard, who grew up with him, said the dad had sent him messages five days before his death which he believed showed signs of paranoia.

One read: “What is with all the lights and drones in the bushes, you didn’t need to do this, I will take my own life.”

Coroner Dr Nicholas Shaw said: “This indicates his state of mind was not as healthy as it should be.”

Mr Howard said his brother never sought out medical help for his mental health.

A neighbour found Mr Williamson’s body in Ibbotsholme Woods when out for a walk.

Mr Williamson, who worked in an arcade in Bowness, was believed to have been stressed as he though he was not able to see his baby daughter.

But a statement from his ex-partner Holly Dawson suggested she was arranging for her brother to sort him out with a car to help him see his daughter more easily.

Pathologist Sarah Hawkswell said there were no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system and gave the cause of death as hanging.

In his conclusion, coroner Dr Shaw said: “I would reach the short-form conclusion that this death was a suicide.”