QUESTIONS remain unanswered about the death of a man found drowned in the River Severn.

Sean Miller disappeared after a night out in Newtown in February and was found in the river near the town’s golf club on March 14 following an extensive search and rescue operation. He was 22.

An inquest into Mr Miller’s death held in Welshpool by Ian Boyes, assistant coroner for South Wales and Central, recorded an open verdict.

Mr Boyes read out statements from friends of Mr Miller who described when they last saw and spoke to him in early February.

Scott Roberts, who lent an Xbox game to Mr Miller at the end of January, said he (Mr Miller) had told him he had been depressed, and after speaking to him on the phone “could tell he was down”.

Lauren Thomas saw Mr Miller on the night of February 1, before he was last seen in the early hours of February 2, at the Cambrian Vaults pub in Newtown.

She described Mr Miller as “excited”, drinking shots, being unbalanced but still aware of his whereabouts. But he was in “good spirits” and did not say anything that would have caused any concern.

Police reviewed CCTV footage which showed Mr Miller leaving the pub shortly after 1.30am on February 2, heading along Broad Street to Wesley Street in town before disappearing from view.

A post-mortem examination found alcohol and cocaine in Mr Miller’s system, and concluded that his death was as a result of drowning.

Mr Boyes said: “It is likely Sean’s passing resulted from him drowning, contributed to by alcohol and cocaine toxicity.

“I am very sorry that you lost a son and a loved one.

“Hopefully happier times come to the fore.

“This is not who Sean was and not what he should be remembered for.”

Mr Boyes added: “I am not satisfied he intended to take his own life, and there is no sufficient evidence to suggest so.

“We simply do not know any more about how Sean came to pass away.”

Mr Boyes gave a cause of death by drowning, and recorded an open verdict.