Family of Worthing man pay tribute to ‘gentle giant’ following his death

Daniel Mountain, 24, from Sompting Road, Worthing, died by suicide on July 19.

At the inquest into his death, held at Crawley Coroner’s Court on Tuesday (October 20), his family described the 6ft 6in man as a ‘gentle giant’ who ‘liked his home comforts’ and was ‘very family orientated’. They also said he was a ‘popular man’ and had excelled in his career as a carer, which he started when he was 17.

They said: “He would help anyone, make you laugh and was very supportive to anyone who was in need.”

The inquest heard that he had lived with his family and fiancée.

They had been together for 10 years, and engaged for eight years, but they separated in February.

The inquest heard the break-up had ‘affected him immensely’, despite support from his loved ones, but as he had been going out with friends it seemed like he was coping.

On July 18, he was picked up by a friend at 4.45pm for an evening out.

By 12.30am on July 19, the pair had separated, and Daniel told his friend via text that he was sat on Worthing Beach.

The inquest heard that, after they were reunited, Daniel suddenly decided to walk into the sea up to his waist, but came back out. He was described as a ‘six or seven out of ten’ for drunkenness by his friend.

They eventually went home, and his friend got a text from Daniel saying ‘night mate’ – the last message he would receive.

His father said he saw Daniel when he got in, and the family went to bed shortly afterwards at 3.15am.