A 23-year-old man with a took his own life while under investigation for rape which his family claim is false.

Mark Hunton, from Barnstaple, took his own life on May 21, 2018, nine months after the allegation of rape was made against him.

His devastated family have said he 'effectively took their lives with him' as they explained how his mental health 'collapsed' under the 'strain' of the rape investigation.

Mark Hunton, 23, from Barnstaple, took his own life on May 21, 2018, nine months after the allegation of rape was made against him

Devon Live reported that the pressure of the investigation contributed to Mr Hunton's mental health issues, his father Nick said.

He added that he does not know how he will return to normality after the tragedy.

The family said: 'Despite our best efforts to look after him, Mark's mental health deteriorated and collapsed under the strain.

'When Mark took his own life he effectively took ours with him.'

The family have now turned to crowd funding in the hope of raising £25,000 to secure legal representation at the upcoming inquest into Mr Hunton's death.

In a tribute written on the day of his cremation, Nick Hunton wrote of his grief after having his son cremated 'in the presence of his mother and two brothers'.

'No mourners, no service, no friends and family to grieve only our boys who we truly trusted. No one to ask why, no awkward questions or explanations to provide,' he added.

'Asking each of my family in repeated turns 'Are you OK' - perhaps the most stupid words I've ever spoken - in sure and certain knowledge that they were not, but hoping that my two surviving sons would one day return to some level of normality. But how are we to return, Judy and I.

His devastated family have said he 'effectively took their lives with him' as they explained how his mental health 'collapsed' under the 'strain' of the rape investigation

'They said that there was nothing worse than to out live your child. No one has yet, I don't think, tried to categorise the severity of that tragedy.'

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'We are aware and continue to look into concerns raised by the family in relation to Marks' death.

'At this point, due to active and ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.'

For confidential support in the UK: call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details