Mystery remains over the identity of who sold a shotgun to a depressed Bradford man, an inquest has heard.

A detective who investigated the discovery of Myles Nesbitt’s body next to a gun at the back of a Laisterdyke pub last November told the coroner’s court yesterday that they had no more leads to work on.

The 40-year-old had been missing from his home in Woolcombers Way for three days by the time he was found at the rear of the Royal Oak pub with the shotgun beside him.

Detective Constable Jas Gill said the gun had been sent off for tests but the only fingerpints and DNA found on it belonged to Mr Nesbitt himself and no-one else.

He said: “The initial investigation was to trace where the gun had come from and who had supplied it. We had a little bit of intelligence but there was nothing to collaborate it, there were no further leads on this.”

The inquest heard how Mr Nesbitt’s brother Stephen had reported him missing to police after getting a text which read: “Don’t forget the photos at mine, they are yours. Tell mum I love you all.”

Worried by the message he rang him and had a short converstion in which Mr Nesbitt said he intended to harm himself, the call then ended.

Police carried out extensive searches in the area around where he lived involving about 70 officers but it was a lone police officer who finally found the body on November 16.

Mr Nesbitt had died from a shotgun wound to the head. At the time of his death he had about eight pints of alcohol in his system but no drugs. The police investigation was also satisifed no one else had been involved in the death.

Mr Nesbitt, who had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, had been getting help from Bradford District NHS Care Trust’s Substance Misuse Team and in late August had told them he was desperate and could not cope any longer, realising detoxication alone was not enough and he felt he needed longer intensive care.

“He said on a number of occasions if he did not get that help he would top himself but when questioned about it, he had no plans,” said his care co-ordinator Kelly Waugh in evidence that was read out.

She said at his last appointment with her he had been hopeful he would get the referral he needed and had shown gratitude for her help.

Bradford Coroner Peter Straker recorded an open verdict saying he could not say it was suicide because there was not enough evidence that Mr Nesbitt had “voluntarily carried out an act that ended his life”.

He concluded: “The law is very clear, I need evidence of intent. I can’t be sure in this case. We don’t have the required standard of proof.”