The wife of a boxer and footballer who took his own life aged 46 says she hopes his death can save other lives by inspiring people to talk about depression.

Shane Luscombe was a mixed martial arts fighter, boxer and footballer who worked as a scaffolder by day, and had been receiving help for his depression.

He was a much-loved father and husband, but an inquest yesterday heard he was found dead by a family member at his home in Plymouth on July 22, last year.

The inquest heard he was a "strong, hard working and determined" man but had stopped receiving help for his conditions shortly before his death, reports The Herald .

Sara Luscombe, Shane's wife, said: "Shane was a man who knew the path he wanted to walk in life. He wished for nothing more than to be a wonderful dad and husband and loved our children dearly.

"He was a strong, hard working and determined person. We miss him every moment, of every day.

"If nothing else can come from our loss, our children and I would least hope that Shane's death raises awareness about depression, and other mental health issues that affect people on a daily basis.

"We need to do more to break the stigma associated with such issues, along with the shame and embarrassment it evokes in people.

"We pray for all those, directly and indirectly affected by mental health issues. We ask that you do not give up and do not be afraid to speak out."

Shane was a scaffolder and at the time of his death, he was working from Monday to Thursday in London and would spend the weekends in Plymouth.

He was a keen sportsman, and his uncle, Owen Luscombe, told the court that "Shane was content when doing physical exercise".

His uncle said: "Shane on a good day would be fine, and on a bad day he would be not good.

"He would be agitated, he would be tense he wouldn’t relax. Shane was content when doing psychical exercise.

"He would work out at the gym he'd go for a run that was his soul therapy I think."

He added that Shane was a "very good footballer and a good boxer" and "towards the end he was fighting mixed martial arts".

His doctor, Dr James Butler, confirmed Shane suffered from some anxiety issues.

The court heard that Shane opened up to his uncle and would regularly talk to him about things that happened in his childhood.

The inquest heard how Shane had been going to therapy until midway through 2016 when financial reasons prevented him from continuing.

The court heard how his son, Ashley Jackson, was the last person to see Shane.

The pair had spend the Friday evening having a meal on the Barbican and Ashley described his father as being in good spirits.

Mr Jackson, a barber, dropped his dad at his Laurel Road home at 9.30pm on Friday, July 21, 2017 and arranged to see him the following day so he could cut his hair.

Shane's friend, Pete Wright, had died the week before and he had arranged to pay his respects at the Chapel of Rest on the morning of July 22.

Ashley told the court that he texted his dad at 8am but did not hear back.

He added that it wasn't until 5pm that his mum called him to say his dad had not turned up to the Chapel of Rest, that he became increasingly concerned.

Shane's body was found by a family member around 9pm on July 22.

Toxicology reports showed there was "some evidence" of cocaine in Shane's blood.

Assistant Coroner Stephen Covell praised Shane's family as he recorded a conclusion of suicide by hanging, offering them his condolances.

He told the inquest: "What I can say is he seemed to be certainly, at the time of his death, a hardworking man, combining a strenuous job as a scaffolder with travelling up to London and back down to Plymouth, and then dealing with a number of ongoing issues which were affecting his mood."

He added: "He was no longer with his wife and children, which was something which he regretted and was hoping one day that would be repaired.

"The difficult thing to understand is that the last time he was seen alive, was a very good one. His father seemed to be on top of the game and in a good mood and a good place. That was on a Friday.

"Certainly Mr Jackson left him, and they had had a really good time together.

"The next day Shane failed to attend a barbers appointment and also a viewing of deceased friend and set the alarm bells ringing."