THE family of a soldier found dead at his army barracks, months before he was due to serve in Iraq, said they may never know why he died.

Private Mark Payne, 32, of 4 Logistic Support Regiment, was discovered dead in his room at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, on March 30.

At an inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court yesterday, Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded an open verdict.

The inquest heard Pte Payne, pictured right, had been looking forward to seeing his three daughters over Easter before returning to Iraq in May, where he had already completed a tour.

Lieutenant Ewan Elder, Pte Payne’s troop commander, told the inquest he discovered the body at about 9.15am after becoming concerned he had not arrived for morning parade.

He said: “I saw a laniard tied around his neck. I was surprised as I had no cause to believe he would commit suicide.”

Last night, Pte Payne’s mother Emily, 78, from Grimsby, said: “The family has been devastated by this. Mark was full of life and loved having fun. We are happy with the verdict as we do not believe he committed suicide.

“He was in good spirits when he spoke to me two days before he died, and we have questions about what happened.”

Pte Payne, originally from Grimsby, had been in the Army for 11 years. No suicide note was found and he had no history of mental illness, the inquest heard.

Mr Gardiner said: “I cannot say beyond all reasonable doubt he committed suicide... the evidence is insufficient to record any other verdict.”