A MUCH-LOVED son and brother took his own life at home after returning from a night out, an inquest heard.

Ryan Hughes died suddenly at his home in Vulcan Road, Barrow, on August 23.

The 25-year-old was a dear son to Amanda and Phil and cherished brother to Amba and Owen, an inquest held at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court on Tuesday was told.

In a statement read out to the court, Ryan’s mum Amanda Bridge described her son as her ‘special boy’ whose death has left a ‘massive hole’ in her heart.

Growing up Ryan was a quiet and shy boy who loved his siblings ‘unconditionally’ and liked spending time outdoors, Mrs Bridge told the court.

When Ryan moved up to secondary school he began to struggle academically and briefly attended college before taking on various odd jobs.

Ryan gained employment at Wickes as a general labourer before leaving in May after reporting feeling stressed about the job.

He was in the process of applying for a security job at the time of his death.

READ MORE: Heartfelt tributes paid after Barrow man Ryan Hughes dies suddenly

Five years ago Ryan was assaulted on a night out in Barrow town centre, suffering a bleed on the brain, the court heard.

He was hospitalised for several days and no-one was ever identified for the assault.

Ryan’s mum said the incident left her son ‘changed’ and he began going out and drinking more. He became more anxious and did not want to socialise, she told the court.

Ryan asked his mum to contact his GP at Duke Street Surgery in May as he believed he had issues with alcohol and drug-taking. The GP offered therapy and a prescription for his anxiety.

Mrs Bridge said her son was binge-drinking and often disappeared for days before coming home from a night out, after which he spent the day in bed.

“I think he felt did not have a purpose as is friends had settled down and had families,” she said.

The week before Ryan’s death he went to A&E after suffering a fall from his bike and was given a prescription for the pain-killer codeine.

In the days leading up to her son’s death, Mrs Bridge said: “He seemed the same as before: a loving and caring son to his family. Looking back, I think he was struggling with his mental health. I asked him to stop going out; I wanted to help him with his problems.”

Ryan returned from a night out on August 22 and seemed ‘happy’, reported his parents.

Mrs Bridge went to work the following day and Mr Hughes stayed home and did not disturb Ryan in his bedroom.

By 9.30pm Ryan still had not left his bedroom and his dad tragically discovered him cold and unresponsive in his room.

Mr Hughes dialled 999 and paramedics declared him as dead at 9.45pm.

“I was shocked, I could not believe this had happened,” said Mrs Hughes.

“I am overwhelmed at how many people have given us condolences. I did not know so many people loved and cared for him. He was my special boy. He has left a massive hole in my heart.”

A toxicology report found the presence of alcohol, codeine and cocaine in Ryan’s system at the time of death.  

Concluding coroner Craig Smith recorded a cause of death of suicide by hanging.

If you need support, contact Samaritans on 116 123.