A WELL-KNOWN Brecon man who made regular threats to drown himself was found dead in the River Usk, an inquest heard.

Retired painter and decorator Graham Smith, 69, regularly told friends and mental health workers: "I’m going into the river."

The inquest heard bachelor Mr Smith - known by the nickname Tardy - was being treated for depression and was still grieving for his mother May who died in 2013.

He was constantly watching action films on TV, unable to sleep and had thoughts about "throwing himself into the river".

But the day before his tragic death the avid rugby fan told one of his mental health team he

was looking forward to the Six Nations championship.

His goddaughter Brecon police officer Cath Evans said: "He was Brecon born and bred.

"His father was a carpenter who encouraged Graham to become a painter and decorator because the work was indoors.

"He was famous for not wearing a coat no matter what the weather."

The inquest in Aberdare heard Mr Smith was found dead in the River Usk on February 2 wearing a jumper and jeans. Pc Evans she was not surprised to learn that he had his shoes on the wrong feet.

Questioned by Powys coroner Andrew Barclay, she said: "People told me he had talked about throwing himself into the river but he never said it to me."

The inquest heard Mr Smith was found dead on the anniversary of his grandfather’s death.

He was spotted in the water near Llanfaes Bridge by Jon Corrington who at first thought someone was swimming in the fast-flowing river.

He said: "I thought he was moving, but it was the water that was moving him along.

"I was in shock, I didn’t know what to do, the river was taking him away from me."

Mr Corrington asked a passer-by to call the police and a rescue operation was launched involving the fire and mountain rescue services.

Mr Smith’s body was retrieved from the river and a post mortem examination confirmed he died from drowning.

Coroner Mr Barclay said there were ’curious’ features which meant he could rule out a suicide verdict.

He said: "Mr Smith was seen the day before by his psychiatric nurse who said he had his sense of humour and was actively forward planning.

"He was looking forward to watching the Six Nations and attending his gardening group.

"The unanswered question remains how he ended up in the river.

"It’s a curious feature that he has on many occasions told doctors and mental health professionals that he’s had thoughts of throwing himself into the river.

"There is a suggestion that he put himself in the river but there is no evidence of that and it’s inconceivable he went swimming. I am not sure it was a deliberate act and it is possible he was walking and slipped."

The coroner recorded a narrative verdict that Mr Smith died of drowning but his intentions were unclear.