AN inquest into the death of JJB Sports chief executive Duncan Sharpe was opened and adjourned in Clitheroe yesterday.
The 43-year-old, of Waddington Old Hall, Waddington, near Clitheroe, was found by a farmer at a Bolton-by-Bowland beauty spot at 1.15pm on Monday.
East Lancashire coroner Michael Singleton told the inquest in the Ribble Valley Council Chamber that a post mortem examination had confirmed death by hanging.
Mr Sharpe, who was the son-in-law of JJB Sports founder and former Blackburn Rovers player David Whelan, leaves a wife, Jayne, and children Laura, Matthew, David and Paul.
He is understood to have been suffering from a stomach illness, although his death has mystified family and colleagues.
Police are not treating his death as suspicious and the coroner adjourned the inquest until December 16.
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