Family mourn hanged brother

The body of Nigel Dixon, 31, who was said to have "everything to live for", was discovered on an upstairs landing in the house in Ryedale Way in the early hours of Sunday morning.

His heartbroken family say they cannot understand or explain the incident.

The grim discovery was made by Nigel's distraught brother, Karl, 30, and close friend Dave Gratton.

They returned to the house after a Saturday night out and found both doors locked. After breaking in, they came across Nigel at the top of the stairs.

Mr Gratton made numerous attempts to revive him.

It is understood the loft hatch was open with step ladders nearby.

Lorry driver Karl, who shared the house with his brother, said: "He had no problems that I'm aware of, had a very well-paid job and although he had girlfriends, he had no-one he was going steady with.

"He had so much to look forward to in life - we just can't understand it. It's a complete mystery."

Karl said his parents - Geoffrey, a Selby District Council employee, and Barbara - were devastated.

He said: "Nigel loved to go out drinking and socialising with friends. That's what he lived for, along with Leeds United.

"He had been out drinking with friends earlier in the day and had shared a taxi home."

Karl said his brother was Selby born and bred, and was well-known in the town. About 30 of his friends had gathered in the Grey Horse at Brayton on Sunday and "had a drink for him".

He added: "We shared a motorbike and we had both been out on the bike on Saturday morning, and shared a laugh and a joke.

"When I left him, he was in good spirits and looking forward to going out with his friends."

Nigel worked for nine years at Drax Power Station where he served his apprenticeship.

He was working for GEC as a turbine engineer.

North Yorkshire coroner Jeremy Cave is expected to open and adjourn an inquest, pending further inquiries.

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