A Liverpool fan was found hugging a photo of his daughter after taking his own life.
Andy Hamill, a devoted dad-of-two had struggled with mental health difficulties for a decade before he was found dead in his home on February 11.
The 33-year-old from Birkenhead was described by the mother of his children, Rebecca Waldron, as a "doting dad" who had an incredibly close bond with his two children.
Ms Waldron told the ECHO: "He was so funny and witty and liked and he'd always go the extra mile to help me and the kids out. Nothing was ever a problem. He always sent videos of the kids and was always in contact, we very much did things together and decided everything together."
She added: "We were very much a family unit. He was a doting dad, he just had such a close bond with the kids, I've never seen a dad have a bond like that with kids to be honest."
Mr Hamill had battled with mental health problems since 2009 and had previously attempted to take his own life, an inquest at Liverpool Coroner's Court heard.
In the days before his death Mr Hamill sent messages to Ms Waldron and his ex-partner Hannah Gale
Over the course of the weekend he had also sent pictures and other messages to friends which first sparked concern for his wellbeing three days before he was found.
On the Friday before he died (February 8) he sent Ms Waldron a message saying he couldn't look after the children the next day because he was in a "bad place" and apologised to her for being "a failure", telling her her she was a "great mum".
On the same night he also sent a message to Ms Gale asking her if she could look after his daughter the next day because he "wouldn't be around".
Protecting his children from his mental health difficulties became a main focus for Mr Hamill.
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Ms Waldron said: "He always knew when he was ill and he'd say he couldn't have the kids or send me a message, like on the Friday - and say to leave them until he could calm himself down."
Officers from Merseyside Police rushed to his home twice on the Friday night (February 8) after other friends raised concern for his well-being after he sent messages and shared pictures suggesting he may harm himself.
However, on both occasions Mr Hamill told officers and paramedics that he was fine and there was no cause for concern.
His family and friends repeatedly tried to reach out to Mr Hamill over the weekend but were largely unable to contact him.
He sent a last message to a friend on Saturday afternoon where he said he "didn't want to be here".
That was the last time anyone had any direct contact with Mr Hamill.
On Monday evening police returned to his flat and found Mr Hamill hugging a picture of his daughter, having taken his own life.
Assistant Coroner Joseph Hart concluded Mr Hamill had died as a result of suicide caused by taking a "cocktail of drugs".
Mr Hart said: "Andy was found in a rear bedroom, laying on the bed and as I understand it from investigations, he was hugging a pillow with a picture of his daughter in his arms."
Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene shortly before 11pm.
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In delivering his verdict Mr Hart said: "The heart of this seems very clear, on the balance of probabilities Andy Hamill took a quantity and combination of drugs, the effect of which was to cause his death. I have little difficulty in reaching that conclusion.
"I have to then go on and consider what he intended by taking these drugs."
He added that it was clear Mr Hamill did not want help and "effectively stonewalled" any attempts to help him.
Mr Hart said: "Perhaps the clearest indicator for me of his actual intent is that a running theme through his mental health difficulties was the protective father being there for his children.
"Whilst profoundly upsetting, perhaps the most important piece of evidence is that when he is found he was hugging a photograph of his daughter. He demonstrated, in my view, evidence of his profound love of his children."
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Speaking to the ECHO after the inquest Ms Waldron urged others suffering with mental health difficulties to seek help and speak out when they are struggling.
