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A security guard accidentally suffocated himself in an autoerotic accident, an inquest heard.

Ralph Santiago, 31, was found dead in the men’s toilets of the building he worked wearing Wellington boots, a wetsuit and gas mask.

His body was found by a colleague at about 7am on Tuesday, July 22, last year, lying on the floor with a gas canister nearby.

Further rubber/latex outfits were found in Mr Santiago’s car and in the ladies’ toilets of his workplace at Aquis House in Blagrave Street, Reading.

The evening before he died Mr Santiago printed off information from the internet explaining how inhaling “poppers” (legal chemicals used to stimulate a sexual high) via a gas mask can cause arousal.

At an inquest into his death Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford explained Mr Santiago had only worked at Aquis House for one day before he died.

On Monday, July 21, he arrived ready for his 6.30pm to 6.30am shift.

But the next morning, when fellow guard Christopher Courtenay arrived, Mr Santiago was nowhere to be seen.

Reading from Mr Courtenay’s statement, Mr Bedford said: “At 6.30am I could still not see him. I assumed he was in the bathroom.

“At 6.50am I carried out a full patrol. Ralph was still not back.”

Mr Courtenay visited the staff bathroom and discovered the men’s toilet was locked. He went upstairs to get a key, when he opened the door he found a body.

However, he was not certain it was Mr Santiago because only his eyes were visible under the mask.

Paramedics and the police were called. In a statement, PC Barbara Cummings described Mr Santiago as wearing “a black latex suit, gloves, a gas mask and Wellingtons.”

Mr Santiago’s girlfriend Hannele Vaher did not attend the inquest but had previously explained “he had fetishes”, of which she did not take part.

She said he was “prone to dressing up” and adding that he took poppers.

Toxicology tests showed Mr Santiago, of Beresford Avenue in Surbiton, had some alcohol in his system.

Dr Sukhvinder Ghataura, who carried out the autopsy, told the inquest it was likely – owing to the fact Mr Santiago’s lungs were filled with blood – he died of cardio respiratory arrest.

Dr Ghataura said he believed this was caused by inhalation of noxious gases via the gas canister, but added the chemicals had dispersed by the time the post-mortem was carried out.

Mr Bedford recorded a verdict of misadventure, adding: “He indulged in a certain pastime which he was fully entitled to do in his own time.

“This time he was doing it while he worked as a security officer. The fact is he was taking a risk. Tragically and unexpectedly this caused him to die.”

Tributes to ‘generous and loving guy’

Friends of Ralph Santiago paid tribute to him on the networking website Facebook.

Claire Feltham said: “Billy Joel was so, so right when he sang Only The Good Die Young.”

Paul Mason said: “Ralphy, I’ve never met a more generous and loving guy, I can’t believe I won’t hear your laughter.”

Vickas Handas wrote: “Ralphy. You were such a genuine and sincere person.”

And Natalie Baker wrote: “Poor Ralphy... we are all completely gutted to hear such sad news.”