A "wonderful" mum-of-two who "adored her children" was found dead after a night out with her boyfriend.
Emma Lewis, who had longstanding issues with anxiety and depression, had drunk up to 10 pints at the pub with partner Gary Fitzmaurice the night before her death.
Warrington Coroners Court heard how the couple returned to their home, on Holly Hedge Lane, Warrington, and went to sleep.
The next day her heartbroken partner found the part-time caterer hanged, and immediately contacted emergency services.
When detectives arrived at the home, at 8.30am on July 26, 2018, they were initially "suspicious" because of the "unusual" scene.
Ms Lewis, 44, was found to have bruises on her body, particularly on her arms, which pathologist Jonathan Metcalfe described as "suspicious of gripping."
Mr Fitzmaurice, 46, was arrested on suspicion of murder and quizzed about the tragedy by officers.
He insisted he played no part in his girlfriend's death, but was only released without charge six months later when Cheshire Police confirmed the case was no longer being treated as "unexplained."
Giving evidence today at Warrington Coroner's Court, Mr Fitzmaurice recalled how Ms Lewis, who originally lived in Widnes, regularly suffered with mental health issues.
The couple had been in a relationship for nine years, once separating for 18 months, and Ms Lewis had two teenage children, aged under 16, from a previous relationship.
One of them lived with Ms Lewis at their home in the small Warrington village of Walton.
Mr Fitzmaurice said anxiety could make his girlfriend "become very irritable" and her mood could worsen if she had a drink.
He remembered how, once, Ms Lewis had told him: "Don't think I haven't thought about taking my own life."
He told Coroner Heath Westerman: "I don't remember much of the evening.
"We left the pub, there was an argument, police have told me, I went to bed, I don't remember anything from leaving the pub.
"When I woke up in the morning, I was facing the other way, I sort of half-looked over my shoulder and thought Emma was in a strange position.
"I looked again and that's when I saw her."
He told the court how he "knew it was too late" to save her.
Jean Lewis, Ms Lewis' mum, also gave evidence, and told how she had seen her daughter for the last time the day before the tragedy.
She said when she saw her she was happy and playing with her daughter, who was 14 at the time.
Mrs Lewis, who previously paid tribute to her daughter, added: "They were happy and laughing, she was happy to be with her daughter, she loved her to bits.
"I had no concerns for Emma.
"She was so happy that day, it was lovely.
"You could see if she was down or low, but she'd come round and be happy to be with us.
"I can't ever see her doing anything like that, to leave her children behind, she adored them.
"I just miss her."
Detective Kate Tomlinson, of Cheshire Police, who led the enquiry, initially treated the investigation as potentially criminal because of "a number of concerns" and the "very unusual situation."
But she clarified it was now certain there was no foul play or any suspicious circumstances surrounding former BT worker Ms Lewis' death.
A report from the 44-year-old's GP described her as a "very soft spoken and compliant person" who had tried different anti-depressant medication, had temporarily taken sleeping tablets and tried cognitive behavioural therapy to alleviate her condition.
Ms Lewis was signed off work on a number of occasions.
Coroner Westerman recorded a verdict of suicide.
He added: "There was no forewarning this tragic incident was due to take place.
"Mrs Lewis was around the day before and Emma was happy and never expressed thoughts of self-harm."
He said: "This was clearly a very tragic death of a much loved daughter, mother and friend to many and clearly not anticipated."
