A MAN was alerted to the tragic death of his brother by an anonymous phone call, an inquest heard.

James Hare, 30, was found unresponsive at an address in Cumberland Avenue, Southend on March 18 last year.

Mr Hare, born in Romford and living in Dagenham at the time, was discovered by his brother on the sofa, and despite efforts from paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest into his death was held at Essex Coroner’s Court on Thursday.

Coroner’s officer Gemma Cook said: “He had a background history of drug overdose and self-harm.

“His brother received an anonymous telephone call saying his brother was deceased.

“He found him unresponsive on the sofa. No drugs or paraphernalia was found there.

“Essex Police attended the scene and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

“The cause of death was found to be 1A multiple drug toxicity.”

Temporary Detective Inspector Nick Brunton, who oversaw the case, said: “It was a detached bungalow in a residential street. The officers were already present at the scene.

“No one else was in the property. There was no evidence of third-party involvement, no disturbance there, nothing to suggest anything untoward to the death.”

Mr Hare’s partner said: “He wasn’t in a very good way a few years ago but he overcame that, and he was in a better place. We had just had a baby girl. He texted me before saying he would be back home tomorrow, love you so much.”

Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded an open conclusion into Mr Hare’s death, saying there was not sufficient evidence to say if he had intended to take his own life or if it was an accident.