AN estranged dad drowned after walking into the sea with his new lover, an inquest has heard.

B Vega, 51, formerly known as Mark Dale, had driven to the beach in St Osyth with a 40-year-old woman he was "head over heels in love with".

But shortly after, Mr Vega, an unemployed structural engineer originally from Wix, was pulled from the water by a retired soldier who spotted him in difficulty while out for an early morning walk.

He died soon after.

The couple had previously made a failed suicide attempt, on April 29 - two weeks before Mr Vega died.

Mr Vega's partner has been arrested on suspicion of assisting a suicide and has been bailed until next month.

Det Sgt Tim Coyles, who is heading the investigation told Chelmsford Coroners Court: "My belief is that there is no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

"The officers who attended the scene, the evidence from the gentleman who tried to save Mr Dale led us to to the decision it was not suspicious.

"The officers who initially attended considered an offence of attempted murder and then murder but once the dust settled the evidence that was there meant an offence of assisted suicide was considered, and is still considered."

The inquest heard the couple had been living together in a rented property in Ipswich and both were estranged from their children.

They had both previously engaged with mental health services.

Mr Vega's mum, Teresa Dale, attended the inquest.

When asked by Ms Beasley-Murray if she thought her son intended to kill himself she said: "It is difficult to say because he had stayed with us for nine months prior.

"Although his family situation had been very distressing, he became very positive.

"But then he met this young lady, it then transpired that they were both in similar situations, both were estranged from their children."

Mrs Dale added the pair seemed "head over heels in love with each other".

Ms Beasley-Murray added: "I have considered a conclusion of suicide not least because of what she [his partner] was saying afterwards and the chequered history they both had.

"To record suicide I would have to be sure first that he formed the intention and took deliberate action, and I'm not sure.

"With regard to the quite bizarre circumstances and to the heroin and cocaine in his system and having regarding with what you said Mrs Dale, we don't quite know what was going through his mind as entered the sea I'm going to record an open conclusion.

"There are little bits of the jigsaw we will never quite know was going through his mind, he seemed a very intelligent gentleman.

"What a tragedy."

Mr Vega died at Colchester General Hospital.

The cause of death was given as drowning as well as heroin and cocaine intoxication.