POLICE did “everything they could possibly do” to establish if there were suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of an Essex University law graduate, an inquest heard.

Noel Haruna, who was 26, was last seen in East Hill, Colchester, when he went missing on October 22 last year after a night out with friends.

A widescale search followed and a member of the public found him 12 days later near the River Colne.

Area coroner for Essex Michelle Brown concluded a documentary inquest on Wednesday and gave a narrative conclusion into Mr Haruna’s death.

Missing - there was a 12-day search for Noel Haruna after he went missingMissing - there was a 12-day search for Noel Haruna after he went missing (Image: Essex Police) His mother, Gloria Haruna, previously said the family “was not completely in agreement” with how the investigation was being conducted.

The coroner said at the inquest the family had raised concerns “someone else was involved in his death”.

But Mrs Brown said police did “everything they could possibly do” to see if there were any suspicious circumstances around Mr Haruna's disappearance.

She added a post-mortem report found no evidence of traumatic or defensive injuries.

The inquest heard Mr Haruna, who lived with his housemates in Albany Gardens at the Hythe, owed one woman around £6,000 in rent and another man £4,000 in debts at the time of his death.

He was also the father to a five-month-old daughter.

Mrs Brown told the court Mr Haruna had been in Trilogy nightclub with four friends and then went to Silk Road before he was last seen outside a convenience store in East Hill.

His phone was last connected to a network at 4.46am and he “is likely to have gone into the River Colne” at around that time, the coroner said.

She continued: “He perhaps hid it from his family that he actually was involved, not in a big way, but involved in the supply of drugs.

“There was perhaps a side to him his family did not realise.”

Search - a member of the public found Noel Haruna near the River ColneSearch - a member of the public found Noel Haruna near the River Colne (Image: Archant) The coroner said she could not be sure based on the evidence available if the death was accidental or suicide.

She said: “I am going to conclude Noel Haruna died on November 3 when he was found immersed in water after going missing on October 22 following a night out socialising with friends.”

A statement from Mr Haruna’s family read: “Noel, you don't deserve this, but you are now with your maker who sees and knows everything – continue to rest in his bosom.

“We love you dearly and this pain remains deep.”