A cancer sufferer who was found dead in the sea in Kingsdown had only days before learned his chemotherapy had been successful.

Philip Couchman, 56, was discovered one metre from the shoreline near The Zetland Arms by a sea defence worker at around 8.20am on Friday, February 19.

He had left his home in Alexandra Road, Kingsdown, and walked to the beach where coroner Alan Blunsdon said he possibly fell or, due to frailty after contracting Clostridium difficile (C Diff) in hospital, may have collapsed with exhaustion and was claimed by the sea.

Recording an open conclusion at Canterbury Magistrates Court last Wednesday, Mr Blunsdon said: “I rule out that Phil intended to take his own life. The evidence no way approaches the threshold for such consideration.”

Mr Couchman, a port operations officer, had been diagnosed with cancer in August 2015. Despite this, he was described by his family as always positive.

Days before his death, he had received news that chemotherapy for a malignant melanoma in his chest had been successful.

He was told he could have a treatment holiday before returning for radiotherapy, which his brother the Rev Tim Couchman had reassured him would be easier to cope with.

Mr Couchman had spent two weeks in isolation having contracted C diff. Mrs Couchman said he delighted at returning home on Saturday, February 13.

As a result of his illnesses, he had lost weight and become frail. He was on various medication including prednisolone, a steroid which disturbed his sleep.

The court heard how Mr Couchman had been making plans for the future. He had renewed his car tax for another year and rectified a licensing issue with his private number plate.

The night before he died he had discussed arrangements for a hospital appointment with his wife, including times, what clothes he would wear and how he would be dropped by the hospital doors and wait while his wife parked because he did not feel he would be capable of walking the car park.

Mrs Couchman noticed her husband was missing when he didn’t emerge from his bedroom that morning.

After checking all over the house, she was alerted by the sign of a key in the back door.

She said: “We’re very security conscious and that is not our discipline. Ordinarily he would tell me if he was going out.”

The side gate was also open. After telling a neighbour, she reported her husband missing.

Pathologist Dr Miklos Perenyei recorded the cause of death as immersion in water.

He said: “I cannot say if it was drowning or a reflex cardiac arrest or if there was an element of exhaustion, that is why I have left it so broad.”

Detective sergeant Christopher Rabi carried out a search of Mr Couchman’s emails, messages and internet history.

He said: “All of my inquiries pointed to somebody who was making plans for the future.”

Mr Blunsdon said: “There is no reason why Phil would have entered the water intentionally.

“I can say that he didn’t intend to be in the water and he didn’t intend to take his own life.”

Mr Couchman was described as a man with many interests including dogs and classic motorcycles. He was also an accomplished musician.