The devastated partner of a dad-of-two who died after falling from a clifftop says he was “the love of my life”.

Ricky Lowes, who had battled mental health issues, was found dead along the coast near Dover shortly after being reported missing.

His partner of more than two years, Pippa Waller, described the 36-year-old bricklayer as “a kind-hearted man” who “loved his two boys”.

“Whenever he saw them he went above and beyond to make their time special and fun,” she said.

“He was a good man and such a loving partner.

“We loved going on walks and adventures together – he loved exploring the caves and hills and finding new places.

“He also loved his music – that was one of his happy places. If he was feeling down he would bring his decks and earphones out and bop away.”

An inquest into the death of Mr Lowes who lived in Dover, heard that he had endured a lengthy fight against serious mental health issues.

Area coroner Sarah Clarke said this had previously resulted in him going missing and a number of suicide attempts.

The inquest at County Hall in Maidstone heard a passer-by had discovered his body at the foot of the cliffs between Langdon Bay and Crab Bay on Saturday, May 13.

He had last been seen three days prior at his home in Selkirk Road, when he had said he was going to visit a friend.

However, he was not seen subsequently and made little contact with friends and family over the coming days – despite repeated attempts on Ms Waller’s behalf to reach him on May 12.

When he failed to arrive when expected to pick up his son on May 13, his partner called the police to report him missing.

Tragically, the same morning his body was found by a worker for the National Trust who had been walking near the cliffs.

A subsequent police investigation ruled out suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement, listing his cause of death as multiple injuries.

Ruling his death a suicide, Ms Clarke told the court: “We cannot know the exact circumstances around his fall from the cliffs – as we have no witnesses, we cannot say whether he slipped or jumped.

“However, I note that he had made a number of suicide attempts beforehand. The evidence before me suggests that on the balance of probability, I can rule this a suicide.”

A fundraising page was set up in the wake of the tragedy, to help pay for Mr Lowe’s funeral, with any extra funds to be donated to a mental health charity.

You can donate to the fundraiser here.

Speaking after the inquest, Ms Waller said: “He really did struggle [with his mental health issues], but he was trying so hard, which is why his death has hit us so hard.”

She says they met in September 2020 and “just instantly clicked”.

“He really was the love of my life,” Ms Waller added.

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