A successful science fiction author who drove 150ft off a cliff top was found dead after hanging himself.

Robert Storey's body was discovered on the side of the cliff at the Warren near Capel-Le-Ferne, Folkestone, on Friday, March 1, alongside the damaged vehicle.

After driving off the cliff top and falling around 150 ft in the car, the 42-year-old, who had a history of mental health illnesses, hanged himself from a tree.

An inquest into his death, held today at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone, recorded a verdict of suicide.

Mr Storey had gone missing the previous day on Thursday, February 28 after fleeing a doctor's appointment.

His parents called the police to report his disappearance but it was 24 hours later that his body was found.

Crews from Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and paramedics spent six hours on March 1 recovering his body after it was spotted by a member of the public.

Due to the position, a drone was used to identify Mr Storey; footage from the drone was compared to pictures given to the police by his family and used as part of a public appeal to locate him.

Tributes were paid to the Liverpool FC fan by his family following his death, describing him as a wonderful son.

Having previously worked in London, he was the successful author of the science-fiction series Ancient Origins, and had his own fan base.

The incident in February was not Mr Storey's first attempt to harm himself.

During the inquest it was heard he had suffered with numerous health issues over the years, including torticollis, also known as cervical dystonia.

The extremely painful chronic neurological movement disorder causes the neck to involuntarily spasm; the condition left Mr Storey housebound for a number of years.

He also suffered from several mental health conditions, including depression, paranoia and psychosis, in the lead up to Christmas 2018.

On Christmas Eve Mr Storey went to stay with his parents at their home in Swingfield, Dover - but the next day was taken to A&E after attempting to take his own life after stabbing himself several times.

He was admitted to Kings College in London but while there tried to jump over the bannister of a stairwell.

He spent time in several hospitals after this, including Little Brook Hospital in Dartford and St Martin's Hospital in Canterbury.

And after returning to his parent's house he was visited daily by staff from the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment (CRHT) team, including nurses and psychologists.

On February 27, the day before he went missing, his parents reported that he was in 'a good place', helping with the gardening.

He also planned a bike ride - but cut his hand accidentally on the chain.

The next day, he went to his father and said he had cut himself intentionally, remarking that the pain from the accidental cut to his hand had taken away the pain in his head, prompting him to self harm.

His parents put calls into the crisis team who advised Mr Storey attend a walk in clinic to treat the wound.

They attended the doctors in Hawkinge.

But while there, Mr Storey became upset and left, taking his parent's car.

He drove off in an 'erratic state', having been the first time he had driven in around 10 years.

In a statement read during the inquest, his father Terry Storey said he believed his son feared being re-admitted to hospital and this was his motivation to leave the surgery and take his own life.

After his son drove off, with his mother's handbag and phone still in the car, the police were called and a missing person's appeal was launched.

They used locating software to track the mobile phone, but this was unsuccessful.

But it was not until the next day, March 1, that his body and the car were spotted by a member of the public and police and other emergency crews were called to the scene.

Giving evidence at the inquest, DS Kirsty Bricknell, of Kent Police, said: "He attempted to end his life by driving off the cliff. When that was not successful he proceeded to end his life by hanging himself from the tree."

She added that no third party was found to be involved and that no suicide note had been left.

The officer said she believed Mr Storey saw the visit to the doctor's on February 28 as an 'opportunity', having previously been under 24/7 care.

She said: "It was a chance moment to get away from his parents. Not a nice phrase but it was his opportunity to get away."

Terry Storey's statement revealed the family were 'eternally grateful' to the crisis team for their support, adding the service would benefit from more financial support in the future

He also said the family would welcome a rock barrier being installed at the Warren to prevent future tragedies.

He said Kent Police reported that there are currently five wrecks at the bottom of the cliff including their own car.

During her conclusion assistant coroner Eileen Sproson said she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Storey had taken his own life, and recorded a verdict of suicide.

She also said she would be writing to the local authority responsible for the Warren at Capel about whether it would be appropriate to instal a barrier at the cliff top.

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