A GRIEVING mum has said her “heart will forever be broken” after her beloved son took his own life in Thorpe Bay.

Tommy-Lee Harvey, 25, from Shoebury, was found in Johnstone Road, Thorpe Bay, on June 21 by a resident.

On Wednesday, an inquest was held into his death at Essex Coroner’s Court in Chelmsford.

The hearing heard from a police officer and a friend of Mr Harvey that he had a history of suffering mental health issues.

During the hearing, his tearful mother, Lesley Harvey, said: “We knew he had issues with depression and the doctor said he didn’t know.

“We did not know what he told the police and we were told the police cannot tell us due to GDPR.

“We knew about the history but at the time he was the happiest we had seen him.”

After the hearing, she added: “He was a lovely, intelligent, inquisitive and caring young man with a great sense of humour. He will be forever missed by me, his stepdad, brothers and wider family.

“My family feel there is closure. For me I don’t think there will ever be closure. He was such a lovely human being and my heart will forever be broken. I have just learned to live with it.”

The hearing was told Mr Harvey was “hurting inside”

and had previously attempted to take his own life and had cut his arms.

Police and medics were called to the incident after the resident called the emergency services in the early hours of the morning.

He had gone out for drinks with work friends before leaving the group and meeting a friend. He then walked to the street and took his own life, the inquest ruled.

Coroner Lincoln Brooks, said: “He was keeping many thoughts to himself, well hidden and guarded. I think it’s more than likely dark thoughts started to dominate his thinking and it was influenced by alcohol.

“It seems to me some dark thoughts overcame him, whilst walking alone in the early morning and the thought to end his own life occurred to him and he acted on it.”

The coroner ruled a conclusion of suicide