An inquest has opened into the death of a Christchurch man who was found at a park in Totton.

The hearing at Winchester Coroner’s Court was told that Jamie Davis, 30, of Stour Road, Christchurch, was discovered at Testwood Recreation Ground off Salisbury Road on Saturday January 11.

A post-mortem examination established that the cause of death was hanging, the inquest heard.

Area Coroner Jason Pegg adjourned the hearing until June 6.

A former serviceman with the 4 Rifles, Jamie Davis served in Iraq and Afghanistan at a young age but suffered from PTSD and night terrors as a result of his time as a rifleman.

The Jamie Davis memorial fund has been set up on social media in his memory, to help pay funeral costs and to work to prevent suicide.

The crowdfunding page has amassed over £7,500, with more money coming in through fundraisers organised by rugby clubs and veteran’s groups in the Bournemouth area.

As previously reported, Jamie’s wife Alicia said the lack of intervention from the army added to the exhausted services and month-long waiting lists through NHS facilities contributed to his death.

She said: “When he came back, he received no help from the army and it still seems as though nothing is being brought forward.

“Jamie went through severe PTSD and I was worried about him getting any help. He would get referred to doctors, but they wouldn’t know how to deal with it.”

The 30-year-old father of two went missing on the afternoon of Friday January 10 but, after big social media campaign and a widespread search from police and close friends, his body was found the following morning.

An inquest in Winchester heard that Mr Davis was identified by a friend Sam Ansty.

Jamie was also a member of East Dorset Rugby Club in the prop forward position and was influential both on and off the pitch for the club.

Many of his teammates were quick to help police with the search effort to find Jamie the day before his death.

The club released a statement on Facebook saying that they were “heartbroken and devastated” to hear of Jamie’s passing.

East Dorset RFC added: “We are heartbroken and would like to extend our condolences to his family, who will forever be part of ours.

“Let’s all remember him for the kind, loving man he was, and remind ourselves that it’s always okay not to be okay.”

If you have been affected by any issues raised in the article, contact the Samaritans’ helpline number on 116 123.