A MAN who was found at the bottom of the fishing lake in Basildon died after drowning, an inquest has heard.

Jack Morrad, 28, was last seen in the early hours of December 23, after having spent the day watching his beloved West Ham with pals before going on to Colors nightclub, in Basildon.

Following nationwide appeals to help find him, the fishing lake in Gloucester Park was drained and Mr Morrad’s body was sadly discovered.

The inquest into his death was opened at Essex Coroner’s Court this morning by coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray.

Coroner’s officer Lynsey Chaffe told the court: “Following the discovery in the lake in Gloucester Park a police investigation was carried out and a post mortem took place at Basildon Hospital on January 4.

“A provisional cause of death was identified as 1A drowning pending further tests.

“DCI Lee Morton of Essex Police confirmed Mr Morrad’s death as non-suspicious.”

Mrs Beasley-Murray adjourned the inquest until July 23 and passed on sympathies to Mr Morrad’s family.