A much-loved dad and popular football coach took his own life after sending a tragic final message to his girlfriend, an inquest has heard.

David Williams, who was known as Did, was found dead at his home in Dover in July this year.

Hours before, the 39-year-old had contacted his partner, Tina Carvill, indicating his intention to end his life, but she did not see it until she woke later that morning.

By the time she and emergency crews had arrived at Mr Williams' home, shortly before 9am, he had tragically died.

At an inquest today (Monday), coroner Katrina Hepburn ruled the dad-of-four's death was one of suicide.

Ms Hepburn told the hearing at County Hall in Maidstone: "I am satisfied that he intended to take his own life.

"It was not a case of someone about to rush in and rescue him. He lived alone."

The inquest heard Mr Williams and Ms Carvill lived in separate addresses.

On the evening of July 25 Mr Williams went drinking with friends, and in the early hours of the next day he sent Ms Carvell a message through the social media platform Snapchat.

She did not see it until some hours later and, concerned, rushed to his home in Balfour Road.

Police officers called to the scene performing CPR on Mr Williams until paramedics arrived, but sadly he could not be saved.

The inquest heard Mr Williams had a history of depression and had intermittently been on anti-depressants.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Williams had taken cocaine, and had 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system - equivalent to the drink-drive limit.

Ms Hepburn said that although he was under the influence she remained satisfied that on the balance of probabilities he had intended to take his own life.

Mr Williams previously lived in Aycliffe and was a handyman and coach of several football teams, including Hawkinge Town Youth Football Club and New Romney.

Following his death, his older sister, Sonia Williams, said life will not be the same without him.

"He was always up for a laugh, always up for banter," she said.

"He was cheeky and a wind-up merchant. If he knew he could wind you up he'd wind you up more and more. He was just so funny."

Ms Williams added that her brother's children were his world, and he was an amazing dad.

"He was everything to me," she said.

"My brother was my life and I just love him so much and I don't want his memory to die. Everyone's got to remember Did."

Mr Williams' picture is now displayed in the window of Ziggy's Florist in Dover High Street - which is run by his sister - along with five other portraits of local people, to help raise awareness of mental health issues.

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