A jilted boyfriend killed his ex-lover and then hung himself after taking crack cocaine.

Kevin Ayton, 35, stabbed Junella Valentine in the neck and chest at her flat in Harveyfields, Waltham Abbey, after she told him their relationship was over and she was seeing someone else, an inquest heard earlier today.

Ayton, a known crack cocaine user, then hung himself with a dog lead from fencing surrounding a basketball court in Grundy Park, Cheshunt, hours later.

His body was discovered at around 6.30am on October 7 by members of the public who cut him down, shortly before police found Miss Valentine’s body at her flat around 11.40am.

Police went to Miss Valentine’s address after her bank card was found on Ayton's body.

He had used it to withdraw £20 the previous evening.

The withdrawal was made at 11.39pm, about 10 minutes after Miss Valentine’s neighbour reported hearing a woman shouting for help.

Mr Ayton was then picked up from the cash point by a taxi and driven to a property in Edmonton, where he is thought to have bought crack.

He then travelled to Waltham Cross in the same taxi and was last seen walking towards Grundy Park shortly after 1am on October 7.

Miss Valentine was found when police forced entry to her flat after hearing her phone ringing inside.

She was found in the bedroom with a blood stained knife discarded at the foot of the bed.

In his evidence, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hall, said: “There would’ve been sufficient evidence to have charged him with the offence of Junella Valentine’s murder, if not for his death.”

No family members of Mr Ayton attended the inquest but Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray offered condolences to both families.

Addressing Miss Valentine’s friends and relatives she said: “These were two very sad deaths.

“It’s been an ordeal for you to hear this inquest and you’ve all behaved with dignity.

“She was obviously much loved and I hope you will be able to look back on the happy positive memories you have of her.”

Mrs Beasley-Murray recorded a verdict of unlawful killing for Miss Valentine and suicide for Mr Ayton .