A MAN who had failed to come to terms with the death of his girlfriend died at the age of just 24 from what was described as 'complex drug misuse.'

An inquest at County Hall in Kendal heard Michael Crosson had been a long term drug user who had also suffered mental health issues.

However, his condition worsened when his beloved partner Zaphia Peterson died at the home they shared in Ulverston in June, 2017.

On the evening of September 4 last year, Mr Crosson had been at friend’s address in Kendal, the hearing heard.

When another friend got up the following morning, Mr Crosson was still in the same armchair where he had been sat the previous evening and could not be woken.

An ambulance was called but paramedics were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A toxicology report found 13 different drugs in his system.

The inquest heard a statement from his mother Teresa Crosson in which she described how her son, who was born and raised in Kendal, had been a bright and affectionate youngster.

He had attended primary school in the town and later Kirkbie Kendal School and had obtained good grades.

However, the inquest heard he began to have behavioural problems in his teens and his GP said that according to Mr Crosson’s medical history, he began experimenting with drugs at the age of 13.

Mrs Crosson said her son had attempted to confront his issues and had sought help but that the death of Ms Peterson 'had torn Michael’s world apart.'

Summarising, coroner Simon Ward said Mr Crosson had been a 'bright young boy' but had a troubled adolescence and the divorce of his parents during his teenage years had hit him hard.

He said Mr Crosson’s troubles escalated following the loss of his partner and said it was possible the various mental health groups who had been involved in his case could have done more to help.

Concluding that on the balance of probability his death resulted from 'complex drug use', Mr Ward it was a 'terrible tragedy'.