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The death of an Abertridwr man who went missing in Turkey, is believed to have been caused by a fall, Gwent Coroner’s Court has heard.

Ben Crook’s body was found on stony ground at the bottom of a drop in Kaleici on his 32nd birthday.

The inquest opening in Newport heard how Mr Crook had flown to Antalya, Turkey, from Bristol Airport with his partner, two children, and a friend on September 23.

Mr Crook, it was said, had been drinking alcohol when he left his home in Graig y Fedw and had continued in the airport and on the plane.

During the flight there was an argument between Mr Crook and his partner, during which he smashed both their mobile phones.

When the plane landed in Turkey in the early hours he was escorted off the plane and he never made it to the hotel.

Means of contact had been lost because he had no phone, Area Coroner Rose Farmer said.

Mr Crook’s body was found at 6.20pm local time on September 24.

His father was notified on October 4 and flew out to identify his son.

The results of a post mortem, which was carried out once Mr Crook’s body was repatriated, are currently being waited on.

While the exact cause of death has yet to be ascertained, Coroner Ms Farmer said Mr Crook had fallen from a height and had died from his injuries.

The inquest was adjourned until April 17 next year.

Community shows support

In the days following Mr Crook’s disappearance, his family desperately posted appeals on Facebook asking for information to help find him.

Once his death was announced by the UK Foreign Office a GoFundMe page was set-up with donations coming in and raising almost £14,000 to help with the cost of bringing Mr Crook’s body home.

His funeral is due to take place on Friday November 15 at Thornhill Crematorium with a wake at Senghenydd Rugby Club following the service.