MYSTERY still remains as to why a man who “appeared to be very happy” took his own life at a New Forest hotel.

Steven Fairbrother was found unconscious in the holiday cottages at The Master Builder’s in Buckler’s Hard, near Beaulieu, on the morning of February 27, but was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Fairbrother’s husband, Daryl, told Winchester Coroner’s Court in a statement that the 55-year-old, of Dover Road, Poole, may have been suffering from body dysmorphia, a mental health condition which causes anxiety about a person’s appearance.

The inquest also heard he had been suffering with pain due to osteoporosis, and had been diagnosed as HIV+ more than 20 years earlier.

The court heard Mr Fairbrother, who was Canadian, was found in his room by staff after failing to check out, with a note on his door telling people not to enter and to call 911.

Staff also found a number of notes, one of which was summarised by acting area coroner Samantha Marsh as expressing “the love Steven had for Daryl”, along with a living will, which Ms Marsh described as “an insurance policy”.

Pathologist Dr Jeffrey Theaker said the cause of death for Mr Fairbrother was an overdose of the antidepressant amitriptyline, which he said was at “very high” level, although GP Jonathan Snell said he had not been prescribed the drug since 2011.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Ms Marsh said: “There appears to be to be very little in the was of the motive. Daryl and Steven appeared to be very happy.

“There was no immediate motive for Steven’s actions. He may have been suffering from body dysmorphic disorder but we have got no formal diagnosis of that.”