'Our wonderwall': Family pay tribute to Ferryhill dad
Today a coroner ruled Darren Lawler died in a 'drug-related death' after taking prescription beta blockers.
The family of Ferryhill dad Darren Lawler have paid tribute today, calling him their 'ray of sunshine.'
The 31-year-old was found dead in August last year, two months after he went missing from his home in Ferryhill.
The local community conducted mass searches, as the police conducted an investigation.
Today a coroner in Crook concluded that Darren's death was 'drugs related.'
Deputy Coroner Crispin Oliver told the inquest Darren had prescribed drugs propranolol in his system.
While the cause of death couldn't be determined for certain, it's thought these beta-blockers probably led to the 31-year-old's death.
The coroner revealed Darren had been 'deeply unhappy' with a number of issues in his life, including the loss of his brother Simon and his son Harley going to live with his grandmother.
Darren was also described to have battled with depression and anxiety, and had conducted online searches into death before he went missing.
The former heroin addict did have methodone in his system, but levels were conducive with theraputic use.
Family friend Leanne Turton paid tribute to Darren on behalf of the family, she said: "He had so much life I think.
"He was there for his son, he loved Harley.
"He played guitar, he just had so much energy.
"He was just like a little ray of sunshine.
"To his parents he was a little wonderwall, and that's what they used to say, he was their wonderwall."