A ‘genuine and gentle’ former footballer drowned in a stream just yards away from where he was reported missing, an inquest heard.

James Dean, 35, was reported missing by his family on May 6, 2021, before he was found three days later face-down in the water in a secluded woodland.

The ex-Chorley and Bury FC footballer had been struggling with his mental health for several months and would at times use cocaine to “suppress his demons”.

Detective Inspector Tracey McMurdo said that James was last seen on a CCTV camera on Orchard Drive, Oswaldtwistle, just after 11pm on May 6.

The CCTV showed James, of Lindadale Avenue, Accrington, running in a car park.

His family believe that, in a paranoid state, James saw a car go past and dived through small gap in a fence panel.

This led into the woodland area with the stream where he was found on the afternoon of May 9, just yards from where he had been captured on CCTV days before.

Police think he died shortly after he entered the wooded area on the night of his disappearance and Det Insp McMurdo said that there was no evidence to suggest he had taken his own life.

Officers searching for James concentrated on well-known waterways as the family had said when he had taken cocaine he would use water to cool himself down.

The spot where James was found was unknown to the police so it wasn’t searched for a number of days.

Det Insp McMurdo was assigned to the missing person case on May 7 and said he was classified as a ‘high risk’ due to his mental health struggles.

She said: “James was so well known in Accrington. As soon as people knew he was missing there was so much help from the local community.

“People were sharing on social media and creating search parties.”

The inquest was told on June 26, 2020, James was referred to mental health services at Royal Blackburn Hospital after taking cocaine and saying he did 'not want to be here anymore’.

He was referred by the police a second time on September 21, 2020, after his mother, Margaret Dean, had called concerned about him as he was having a mental health episode.

Margaret told the inquest: “He sometimes used cocaine to suppress the demons in his head."

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The Lancashire and South Cumbria Trust mental health team attempted to contact James on his mobile and landline on Saturday, October 3, 2020, but had no luck.

They then sent him a letter asking whether he wanted assistance from the service but never received a response.

The family said that James seemed to be doing well with his mental health in the days before he went missing, laughing and joking with them and using work and the gym to control his mood.

Consultant radiologist Dr Simon Beardmore, who took a CT scan of James, which showed evidence of death by drowning.

A toxicology report showed evidence of cocaine use ‘very close to death’ which could have affected James' heart and brain functions.

Coroner Richard Taylor said he believed that James’ death was a tragic accident and returned a conclusion of accidental death.

Mr Taylor said: “He has entered the area that was unknown to him. Somehow, he has gone into the water.

“It’s likely he has slipped and fallen into the water while under the influence of cocaine.”

James, a 6ft 3in striker, had successful spells with many non-league clubs besides Chorley, including Bury, Harrogate and FC Halifax Town.

The news of his death led to countless tributes from former team-mates and managers including ex-Blackburn Rovers stars Matt Jansen and Garry Flitcroft.

Thousands of pounds have been raised by friends at several memorial events in James' memory.

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Anyone struggling with their mental health can reach out to services such as the Samaritans’ free helpline on 116 123.