A 52-YEAR-OLD man whose body was found in Nant y Moch reservoir near Aberystwyth may have unsuccessfully attempted suicide in the days before his death, an inquest has heard.

Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton returned an open verdict on the death of Ian Edward Evans, who was found drowned in the reservoir on 30 July, saying there was insufficient evidence to conclude he meant to take his own life.

The inquest heard that Mr Evans, who had been “living rough” since leaving his job at The Hanbury pub in Swansea, in January this year, had been spotted sleeping in his Nissan X-Trail car in the reservoir car park in the days before his body was found.

On two occasions, police were called by concerned members of the public and, after the first call on Tuesday, 26 July, police attended the car park and spoke to Mr Evans, who said he was “fine” and was just “getting some sleep for a day before heading north”.

The inquest also heard that Mr Evans, of no fixed abode, was suffering with a range of health conditions, including reduced mobility after a car crash which left him with spinal injuries. Mr Evans was also a heavy smoker and drinker who had been given 10 years to live five years ago when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, the inquest heard in a family statement read out by Mr Brunton.

Following a second call from a concerned member of the public on the morning of Thursday, 28 July, police launched a major search operation the next day after finding Mr Evans’ car empty, unlocked and with the keys still in the ignition.

While searching Mr Evans’ car, officers found evidence in the boot which indicated he had attempted to take his own life.

Police divers were called to search the reservoir for Mr Evans on Saturday, 30 July, after police search dogs tracked his last movements to the water’s edge, where crime scene investigators found a discarded cigarette end.

After five minutes of diving with poor visibility, special police divers found Mr Evans’ body at a depth of approximately 90 feet.

Mr Brunton concluded: “There is no evidence here that he did intend to bring his life to an end, despite his very peculiar behaviour.

“I consider the only possible verdict I can reach is an open verdict, which simply means there is no evidence of accident or misadventure.

“He was still a relatively young man and it is clear to us all that, in the end, his life was not pleasant.”

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