An inquest has heard how Feeder drummer Jon Lee hanged himself with a metal dog chain after telling his wife he was "going to do something stupid".

Brazilian-born model wife Tatiana Englehart came home from work to find the Welsh star hanging in the garage at their Florida home.

The inquest in Tredegar, south Wales, heard how the couple's marriage had been strained, and that they had been separated and reconciled before the 33-year-old's death.

They had been separated for a short time although they were reconciled before his death

Kenneth Le Provost Coroner's officer

Lee had enjoyed success with Feeder, a rock trio from Newport known for high-octane hits like Buck Rogers.

The coroner's officer Kenneth Le Provost told the court that on the day of the death, Lee had rung his wife a number of times at work although she had been unable to speak to him.

On the final occasion he told her: "You need to come home, I'm going to do something stupid."

Mr Le Provost said: "She didn't place any great significance on this remark at the time."

Four notes

She returned to the house in the evening to find her husband hanging from the rafters of the garage.

Three notes were pinned to his chest and a further note was lying on the hallway floor.

The couple, who had a young son, had met when Feeder were on a US tour, but their relationship had run into difficulties.

The band plan to continue

Mr Le Provost said: "The relationship between Mr Lee and his wife had been somewhat strained.

"They had been separated for a short time although they were reconciled before his death."

Lee had been due to return to Britain to work on a new album.

After his death, Ms Englehart paid tribute to Lee as her "soulmate and best friend".

Gwent Coroner David Bowen recorded a verdict that Lee had "killed himself while depressed".

Feeder's remaining members, Grant Nicholas and Taka Hirose, are working on a new album and are due to play the Reading and Leeds festivals in August with replacement drummer Mark Harrison.