Quentin Peters was discovered in woods off Craigavon Road in Hylton Castle.

He had two stab wounds to his neck, and at first police said they could not rule out that his death was suspicious.

But investigations revealed the 44-year-old took his own life.

Mr Peters, of Cowdray Road, Hylton Castle, bled to death after severing a main vein in his neck. The implement he used was never found.

Pathologist Stuart Hamilton told an inquest at Sunderland Magistrates' Court that Mr Peters' death would have been "relatively rapid but not instantaneous", and it was possible he had inflicted the wounds on himself before going to the woods.

He added that the nature of the cuts were typical of self-inflicted wounds, and there were no signs of an assault.

Investigating officer DI Gary Hetherington, from Northumbria Police, told the coroner's court that Mr Peters had been reported missing by his wife after last being seen by his daughter on May 3.

He was found at 5.50pm on May 8, lying in the recovery position in 1.5ft-high undergrowth.

DI Hetherington said there were no signs any third party was involved and no evidence of Mr Peters fighting off an assault.

"There was nothing to suggest he had been under any threats from any other persons or was in dispute with any other persons," he said.

"There was a little bit of turmoil but nothing to suggest he would take his own life."

He added: "He had suffered the loss of a friend and some financial difficulties."

Coroner Derek Winter said: "Although Mr Peters did not leave a note expressing any particular intention, I do find that he did take his own life.

"He had injuries that were self-inflicted and must have taken some time and determination to inflict upon himself."

He added that after wounding himself, there was a short window where Mr Peters could have sought help, but he chose not to.

Verdict: suicide.