A doting dad who was found dead in a canal in north Manchester had left the pub "heavily intoxicated" hours earlier, an inquest opening into his death has revealed.
Lee Hall, 55, from Newton Heath was found dead at 10am on the morning of Sunday, October 31 last year. At the opening of an inquest at Manchester Coroners Court, area coroner Zak Golombeck said: "He had been out drinking on the night of October 30, 2021 and was seen leaving a pub in the early hours, alone but heavily intoxicated."
Police and the fire service were called by a group of people who were magnet fishing in a stretch of the Rochdale Canal near Old Church Street in Newton Heath on the morning of Sunday, October 31.
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Tragically, officers pulled Mr Hall from the water and he was confirmed dead at the scene. He leaves behind a 16-year-old daughter Marnilee as well as his mum, stepdad and brothers.
Mr Hall, a drug and alcohol service worker, was a popular figure in the Newton Heath area and was well-known for walking his dog, an Akita-cross called Teddy.
His death has left his family distraught, especially daughter Marnilee. Her mother Rosemary, Mr Hall's ex-partner, told how only hours before his death he had called round to her house. "He was here on Saturday and was saying how he wanted to buy Marni a guitar," said Rosemary. "He'd left the money at his mum's house. He was happy and said how proud he was of Marni."
Relatives say Mr Hall spent the evening of Saturday, October 30 drinking and socialising in The Crown pub which is immediately adjacent to the Rochdale Canal.
Coroner Zak Golombeck said Greater Manchester Police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances around Mr Hall's death. He said Mr Hall had been receiving mental health care with the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, who are undertaking an internal investigation.
A full file from Greater Manchester Police and a toxicology report has been obtained. Witness statements, a GP report and further evidence from Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust have been requested.
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