A much-loved man who went missing for six days before he was discovered in woods died from a drugs overdose.
The inquest of "cheeky-faced" Peter Bebbington took place today following his death five months ago in Ellesmere Port, close to where he lived.
Before going missing the popular, "loud and funny" 34-year-old was found in a distressed state in the middle of the night by his partner Faye Morris.
She phoned his dad, who could often calm him down when the keen fisherman got anxious, and he told her to "ring 999."
But after finishing the call, football fan Mr Bebbington had gone.
He vanished at about 5.20am on Sunday, August 11.
A member of the public came across his body in a wooded area, close to New Bridge Road and Newport Road in the town, on August 17.
Today, at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington, a verdict of drug-related death was recorded.
In a statement, Coroner Peter Sigee said: "Mr Peter Bebbington was found deceased at Newport Road, Ellesmere Port, on August 17, aged 34.
"His death was caused by combined drug toxicity."
No further evidence was heard during the proceedings.
Mr Bebbington was a "loud, happy and funny character" who "not one person could dislike," his devastated family said in tribute to him.
His sister added: "Everybody is absolutely heartbroken and we just can’t believe that Peter has gone.
“My mum and dad are suffering so much, losing their son no matter whether they're a child or adult should never be something any parent has to go through.
“As siblings we are also heartbroken knowing we will never get to see him again, share a laugh or joke with him or even a disagreement.
“All of us would do anything just to hear his laugh or voice, or to see his cheeky face again."
His sister added: "His laugh and smile was infectious you couldn't help but feel cheered up by his presence.
“Peter suffered for years with back pain from a prolapsed disc which he had not long had a operation on, which had failed and left him in even more pain than he was before.
“We will always remember Peter in different ways for example his laugh and his cheeky face.
"And him in his younger days, when he had his mates round getting ready to go out clubbing and his keen interest in fishing which not many people were interested in.
"And his true love for football and his big loving heart towards people and all his pets.
"His nieces and nephews will always be reminded and told stories of Peter's life and they will always miss their big uncle Pete."
At the time of his disappearance, sister Becky Bebbington, 26, said: "He's severely depressed so he goes through moments when he gets suicidal and my dad helps to calm him down.
"His girlfriend said we need to call your dad but he didn't want that so she went in the kitchen and shut the door to phone him and during the time she's been on the phone he left.
"We have no indication of where he went or what direction he's gone in. We are trying to solve all these unanswered questions.
"We just want him to know that there's people that love him and we want to help him. We are a very strong family and we can be there for him."
Friends, relatives and well-wishers in Ellesmere Port had organised search parties to find Peter before the tragic discovery.
