Thomas Geeling, 30, from Royton in Oldham, was last seen on Sunday, December 6. His body was later found hanging near a farm in Lostock on December 14.
Bolton Coroners Court heard how Mr Geeling, who worked as a builder, “tried to make everyone else happy at his own expense” - with his dad, James, describing his cover of happiness as being “tears of a clown”. Stephen Teasdale, Manchester West assistant coroner, described several setbacks affecting Thomas’ life - hopes of joining the Royal Marines and the police fell through - along with cannabis and cocaine use as a coping measure. His dad described him as a “private person” who disliked troubling others with his problems.