A man accidentally took his own life after he hanged himself in a drunken stupor before being found by his girlfriend, an inquest heard.
Stephen Morilly, 34, had tried to talk to Adele Fox after they spent the evening drinking wine and whiskey together but she initially pretended to be asleep.
Shortly afterwards she did doze off but when she woke up she called for the former abattoir worker only to get no response.
She went to look for her boyfriend and found him hanged just metres away.
Tests showed he would he would have been almost twice the alcohol limit at the time of his death on August 1 last year.
An inquest heard Mr Morilly, from Knutsford, Cheshire, had a tempestuous relationship with Miss Fox and they lived together in a barn in the neighbouring village of Mobberley.
His mother Rachel told the Macclesfield hearing: "He was my first child born on Valentine's Day and he was much loved and adored by everyone who knew him.
"But sadly in the last two years, his life had spiralled out of control and he was in a relationship that was a toxic and he lost everything including his flat. His partner was being abusive to him.
"He had previously self harmed as a cry for help and at times Steven's mood would be very low - but I was not aware of any suicidal feelings that he had.
"In fact in the weeks prior to his death his mood appeared to be quite good.
"He came to my house on the Tuesday before his death in a great mood and we had lunch together and talked about a holiday which was coming up and he was asking different things that his little sisters could bring back for him.
"As regards the events of August 1 last year we will never know what happened but this was not Steven.
"I did have various worries about him but never thought he would take his own life by hanging himself. I think something catastrophic must have happened for him to do that."
When asked about her sons death she said: "Thought it would be some drink related incident never him hanging himself. He must have intended for some attention from Adel. I can't blame for things I don't know but she wasn't a nice person to him and he was obsessed with her.
"I don't personally think he meant to take his own life. The only that worries me the biggest fear that Adele was present at the time."
In a statement Miss Fox said: "We had been in a relationship for three years but he would never know when to stop past a certain point and would became aggressive and argumentative. When sober he was the nicest person on earth and I loved him very much.
"On July 31 at about 7.30pm we went to the shops to buy tea and then returned to the farm sanding a table in the barn.
"He had drank some whisky and was drinking wine between 11pm and midnight. I became tired but continued sanding a door. I fell asleep on and off but I don't know when but he came to ask for a cigarette. I then heard him sanding and he came back out but I was pretending I was asleep.
"Later I shouted at him but got no response. I could seen him through the barn door and walked towards Stephen but then realised he was hanging. I tried to get him down but couldn't. It was a big shock Stephen had seemed fine during the day and was not expecting this to happen."
A toxicologist report showed Mr Morilly had a blood alcohol level of 159 micrograms in his system. The alcohol limit for driving in blood is 80mg.
Det Sgt Deborah Morgan of Cheshire Police said: "Adele recalled he had been fine all day and both had been drinking bitter, wine and whiskey.
"She told me about an incident a few weeks ago when he had pushed her.
"At the time been making threats to kill himself but he ran off after she called the police. Stephen had also been taking Adele's anti-depressants. We did not identify any suspicious circumstances in relation to the death of Stephen."
Coroner Peter Sigee, recorded an open conclusion and said: "It's not possible to determine Mr Morilly's intention at that time and I cannot be satisfied whether or not he intended to take his own life.
"My condolences to Stephens family, I am very sorry that I met all of you in these circumstances."
After the inquest his family said: "Stephen was an intelligent and unique young man who was loved by all that knew him."
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