HOUSING worker Heidi Crockett whose partner, boxer Ranje Singh, died after taking a lethal mix of painkillers and aerosol solvent, is convinced he did not want to kill himself.

An open inquest was recorded on his death earlier this month after a picture was painted of Mr Singh being a loner.

Ms Crockett, 32, of Bakehouse Close, Chippenham, remembers a very different person.

She and her seven-year-old son Joseph are still coming to terms with the unexpected and tragic loss of Mr Singh, who died in his bedroom at his mother's home in January.

Ms Crockett, who works for the Hanover Housing Association, paid tribute to Mr Singh's kind and loving nature, his ability to make friends and gentleness.

"I do not believe he meant to take his own life," she said. "It was an accident. Ranje never wanted to die."

An open verdict was recorded at a recent inquest into Mr Singh's death.

A post mortem revealed that Mr Singh had died from self poisoning through a combination of paracetamol and aerosol inhalation.

Ms Crockett said she had never known that Mr Singh had inhaled aerosols and denied he had suffered a drink problem.

"Neither of us could be described as a loner," said Ms Crockett. "We had a very serious relationship and planned to get married. He had a close relationship with Joseph.

He was also passionate about his career as a boxer. He trained hard , visiting the gym and running. But he suffered a serious knee injury which kept him from boxing for around a year. "He began to feel down," Ms Crockett said. "The depression progressed. But I wasn't aware he was drinking heavily. I had no idea about aerosol abuse. His death was a terrible accident."