WHETHER a popular DJ killed himself or was murdered as a result of a drug deal gone sour may never be known, an inquest heard on Monday.

The father of Middlesbrough man Lee Harrison believes his son was killed in the Lebanon because he “saw too much” after getting caught up in a murky criminal underworld.

Tom Harrison vowed to fight for his son's inquest to be reopened after Teesside Coroner’s Court heard that the 50-year-old had been involved in a £150,000 drug deal involving cannabis while staying in Lebanon with a “powerful” family that boasted links to Hezbollah.

He was found hanged on a balcony of a private residence in the Beqaa Valley area in April 2016 after telling loved ones he feared his hosts would have him “done over”.

Prior to that, Mr Harrison had been warned to return home by his father, who had seen footage of his son surrounded by weapons and drugs, including RPGs and AK47s.

A report from the Lebanese authorities found that Mr Harrison had killed himself, with Cleveland Police unable to dispute that conclusion, despite an investigation that took officers "the length and breadth of the country".

While in the Lebanon, Mr Harrison, whose marriage had recently broken down, experienced problems and displayed erratic behaviour, according to witness statements which described him having £150,000 stolen from him, having his passport seized twice and on one occasion being held and quizzed by men he believed were the CIA. He also stabbed a gardener before fleeing from the property where he was staying, after which he was run over by a car. Mr Harrison had also told loved ones that he was surrounded by the Taliban and ISIS, giving rise to fears that he was being held against his will.

Concerns about his mental health were reported by witnesses including his friend and former boss, Neil Taylor, who said Mr Harrison had asked him to "take care of his children" in worrying phone calls shortly before his death.

Recording an open verdict, Ms Bailey said she could not be sure that Mr Harrison had intended to kill himself but said there was not enough evidence to suggest that he had been unlawfully killed, adding: “I am unable to explain the events which led to Lee being found hanged, there are different accounts and conflicting views.

"The truth of the matter is that Lee is the only one who knows what happened.”

Following the inquest, Mr Harrison’s father said he would do what he could to have the inquest re-opened.

Paying tribute to his son, he said he had always tried to encourage him to stay on the straight and narrow, adding: “You could not have met a better lad than my son, he was very loyal to me and he never wanted for anything.”