A “supportive and caring” man with “a large personality” died from erotic asphyxiation after a sex act went wrong, an inquest heard.
Philip Walker was found hanged at his home in Goole, East Yorkshire, by his devastated mother on March 5 this year.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service arrived at the scene to find the 37-year-old's naked body with a ligature around his neck and a chastity box locked around his genitals.
Members of Mr Walker's family searched his room a few days after his death, finding a number of sex toys, a CD case full of pornographic material and several bottles of empty lubricant.
A Fifty Shades of Grey board game was also found, as well as a book containing pornographic writings and drawings Mr Walker had created depicting bondage.
Mr Walker's younger brother told Hull Coroner's Court: "As four young boys we would always fight. We would play football and go on walks together.
“Phil was popular at school and he attended De Montfort University to do performing arts. He had a life-long obsession with Lego and had a great love for comedy and stand-up.
“He was supportive, caring and always built up everyone’s spirits when they became low. He loved and adored his niece.
“Phil was like a best mate. He was more than just a brother and he will be missed by all. For a little guy, he had a large personality.”
Emergency services were called to the house on Cheviot Avenue, Goole, on March 5.
Mr Walker’s family said he “never talked about his sexual interests and this came as a surprise”.
They added there were no indications he intended to take his own life.
Coroner Rosemary Baxter concluded Mr Walker suffered from auto erotic asphyxiation and concluded that his death was a tragic accident.
Ms Baxter said: “Philip Walker died on March 5, 2019, at his home in Cheviot Avenue, Goole, in the early afternoon. He died due to hanging by a ligature tied around his neck.
“For me to conclude that Mr Walker’s death was suicide I have to be satisfied to the appropriate standard of proof that he took his own life and intended to do so. On this occasion, I am not so satisfied.
“I find that Mr Walker showed no suicidal intentions prior to his death or reported to be depressed.
“I find that on the balance of probabilities, this death came about as the result of a tragic accident.
"I find that Mr Walker was indulging in erotic satisfaction and unfortunately then suffered from auto erotic asphyxiation which killed him.
“I therefore formally record a conclusion of accidental death into the case of Mr Philip Walker.”
