Westminster Coroners' Court heard the 42-year-old had unsuccessfully attempted to hang himself minutes earlier with his belt at Paddington railway station.

Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said Speight was "devastated" by the death of his fiancee Natasha Collins in January and the death was a "tragedy".

The inquest heard a suicide note was found in Speight's trouser pocket and further evidence that he wished to take his own life was later found in his journal.

Speight was reported missing by Ms Collins's mother Carmen on April 7 after he failed to meet her for coffee. His body was discovered six days later by a station officer giving a tour to trainee security guards on the roof of an office building at the railway station.

The inquest heard Speight vanished after attempting to visit a counsellor but a mix-up over dates meant she was not at home. Two police officers also spoke to Speight as he wandered in North West London, offering him help as he appeared "vacant" and deep in thought but he told them he was okay.

Dr Knapman said Speight could not face returning to the St John's Wood flat he shared with Ms Collins.

He said: "It does seem to me that he has decided upon a course of action to kill himself.

"What a tragedy. Clearly he was so devastated by the loss of Natasha Collins that at this time he could not contemplate life without her.

"I am sure the sympathy of the court goes out to the family, friends and people who have been associated with the life of Mark Speight who died at only the age of 42 years."