A gifted musician and father took his life after living with mental health problems for more than a decade.

Stefan Mniszko was found dead on his bedroom floor in January. Since then friends have started raising money in his memory

An inquest heard the former civil servant retired in 2007 as he battled with depression.

The Tunbridge Wells father-of-two separated with his wife Susan the following year, but the couple remained in touch.

Coroner Roger Hatch told the inquest the 64-year-old struggled with addiction to painkillers after having back surgery.

Mr Hatch said: "In July 2018 Mr Mniszko told his ex-wife he was no longer taking his anti-depressants and was now taking Tramadol instead."

Susan Mniszko visited her former husband's home on January 25 after finding his phone had been switched off.

She discovered Mr Mniszko, originally from Bangor, Wales, in his bedroom floor surrounded by empty packets of Tramadol and bottles of alcohol.

In the wake of his death, friends started raising money for the Kenward Trust.

Paul Waghorn set up a JustGiving page, which is still open for donations.

Mr Waghorn wrote: "Stefan was a gifted guitarist who was passionate about the Tunbridge Wells music scene. He was known to attend many local open microphone and 'jam nights' He also took time to teach guitar and support groups of younger musicians.

"His sudden death in January 2019 came as a shock to us all. So, at the bequest of his family, this page has been established to his lasting memory."

A post mortem gave the cause of death as a Tramadol overdose.

Coroner Roger Hatch ruled Mr Mniszko's death was by suicide.

If you are suffering with mental health problems, please call Samaritans on 116 123 or click here to see the support available in Kent.

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