Anthony Collins, 37, was found in Joes Creek, Batehaven, on the morning of April 18, 2017, by passersby.

A coroner’s report released this week found Mr Collins battled long-term mental health issues and struggled with serious alcoholism, which was exacerbated in the months leading up to his death.

On the evening of Friday, April 14, Mr Collins went with friends to Club Catalina for a raffle draw, with all agreeing to catch a courtesy bus home later that night.

CCTV footage captured inside the club showed Mr Collins leaving the premises alone after he had become separated from his friends.

This would be the last time they would see Mr Collins alive.

“The recording shows Mr Collins to be unsteady on his feet walking … out onto the street and then out of sight,” Coroner Doug Dick said.

Mr Collins was reported missing the following morning after failing to make contact with his mother, and, three days later, his body was found less than a kilometre away from the club partially submerged in a creek off Beach Road.

The report showed police initially treated Mr Collin’s death as suspicious. However, after extensive investigations, police ruled out foul play.

“A thorough police investigation failed to find any physical evidence or indicators to suggest there were suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Collins,” Mr Dick said.

The investigation deemed his death to be the result of an accidental fall into the creek.

An inquest into the death will not be conducted, at the request of Mr Collins’ family.

The death sparked intense interest at the time, with many members of the community sending their condolences on social media.