THE body of a man reported missing from home was found at the foot of a North-East landmark several miles away, two days before Christmas, an inquest has heard.
Allan Milligan was found lying in a gulley 100ft below the Causey Arch, a former railway viaduct in woods near Stanley, in north-west Durham.
An inquest in Durham heard that he died from multiple injuries consistent with a fall from a large height.
Council workmen who discovered his body had earlier reported finding an empty car in the on-site picnic area car park on the morning of December 23.
PC Andrew Arkley told the inquest that a "vulnerable" missing-from-home report was made when Mr Milligan failed to return to his house in Whickham, Gateshead, having not been seen since leaving the previous afternoon.
The inquest heard that the 55-year-old self-employed businessman left his home, in Windermere Gardens, after an argument with his wife.
PC Arkley said an empty whisky bottle was found near Mr Milligan's body. Pathologist Dr Douglas Maloney confirmed there was a significant blood alcohol level in his body.
North Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle said "something seemed to have snapped within him" when he left the house.
A verdict of suicide was recorded
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