Man found dead on New Brighton beach after going missing

An independent filmmaker who was reported missing was found dead on New Brighton beach eight days later. Ian Langton, a creative director and writer at Space Hound Ltd, was found at Tower Promenade on November 8 last year.

The 49-year-old, from Waterloo in Liverpool, had been reported missing on October 31. His inquest at Sefton Coroner's Court last month heard he "had a history of problems with his mental health and had been acting strangely" shortly before his disappearance, and was being taken to a hospital emergency department due to concerns for his wellbeing. However he discharged himself from hospital and Merseyside Police issued a public appeal for information about his whereabouts two days later.

Sadly, he was found dead on November 8, with his cause of death being drowning. Handing down an open conclusion, coroner Johanna Thompson said: "Mr Ian Langton had a history of problems with his mental health and had been acting strangely. Due to concern for his wellbeing, he was being taken to a hospital emergency department but he ran away and was formally reported as missing on 31st October 2023.

"Attempts to find him were unsuccessful, and he was later found deceased on 8th November 2023 at Tower Promenade Segment, Tower Promenade, New Brighton, Wirral. His cause of death was consistent with him having drowned, although the circumstances leading to his drowning remain unknown."

Mr Langton was the joint founder of Space Hound, an independent film company involved in productions for Sky One, FIVE, Discovery Kids, Channel 4 International, Sky Movies and kids' TV channel Cartoonito. He also worked on content for charitable organisations including Macmillan Cancer Research, Oxfam, Cancer Research UK, Scope, The Children’s Society and Barnardo’s.