Pictured: The father-of-one found hanged day after he was shamed on social media for 'making racist gesture' at football match and was due to be spoken to by police

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This is the first photo of a father-of-one found dead the day after he allegedly made racist monkey gestures towards a black footballer at a local derby match.

Chester FC supporter Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, was found at his home in Flint, North Wales, early on December 1 - with a provisional cause of death given as hanging.

Just hours earlier, the HGV driver was spotted on camera apparently performing a gesture towards Warrington Town player Bohan Dixon after a teammate had scored.

An inquest opened at County Hall in Ruthin on Tuesday confirmed emergency services were called to Mr Hewitt's home after concern was expressed for his safety.

Mr Hewitt was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.35am in what assistant coroner Kate Robertson described as an 'apparent act of self harm', reported Leader Live.

A pathologist's provisional cause of death following a post-mortem examination was hanging, the hearing was told - and a full inquest will take place a later date.

One neighbour told MailOnline: 'We all found out it was Andy who'd been accused of being racist. It doesn't sound like him. He's a lovely lad and they are a great family. We're all stunned that he took his life over this. I feel so sorry for the family.'

Another said: 'It's shocking. I saw all the ambulances and then found out what had happened to Andy. His partner is devastated. It's all still raw. It happened all so quickly.'

His sister-in-law Mia Nicholson said on Facebook that it was a 'truly devastating time' for the family, adding that a funeral and burial will take place on December 18.

Objects were also thrown on to the pitch amid ugly scenes at the Cal.Delivery Stadium, home of Warrington Town FC, during the National League North fixture.

Video of the gesture was circulated on social media and discussed among fans, with one posting an image claiming to be of Mr Hewitt in the crowd of 2,296 supporters.

Chester initially said it was 'angry and dismayed at an alleged instance of racism', and would share its video and photographic evidence with Cheshire Police.

The club added: 'Racism has no place in sport or society, and anyone found to have displayed such behaviour will receive an indefinite ban from attending matches.'

Chester also condemned 'the actions of a minority who are unable to behave responsibly' and said the side now faced a Football Association investigation.

But then in a shocking development, the club revealed 'it is with sadness Chester FC has been made aware of the tragic death of the individual involved' and 'the immediate thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends.'

MailOnline then contacted police who confirmed the man was 'due to be spoken to at a later date' about a 'racially aggravated public order offence', before he died at a property in Flint - with no suspicious circumstances.

The incident happened when Dixon was celebrating his team's opening goal in front of the 900 Chester fans on November 30 after Connor Woods had scored from the penalty spot.

The goal came in the 73rd minute, but Warrington captain Josh Amis was then sent off for violent conduct and Harrison Burke scored a Chester equaliser on the 85th.

The 1-1 result left Warrington in 18th place in the 24-team league, three points above the relegation zone. Chester were left in seventh, just within the play-off places.

The non-league clubs are separated by only 20 miles and the attendance was believed to have been a Warrington record for a regular league fixture.

Liverpool-born Dixon, 35, spent six seasons with Warrington before leaving in February to join Macclesfield Town - but then returned to Warrington in the summer.

A North Wales Police spokeswoman told MailOnline: 'Police attended an address in Flint shortly before 1pm on Sunday, December 1 following a report of the death of a man. The death is not being treated as suspicious and the family and coroner have been informed.'

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman told MailOnline: 'During the match between Warrington FC and Chester FC on Saturday, November 30 police were made aware of a racially aggravated public order offence.

'The suspect was identified and was due to be spoken to at a later date about the matter.

'Sadly, the man was reported to have died at an address in Flint on Sunday, December 1. There are no suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner.'

The force added that the matter had been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) 'in line with standard procedure'.

An IOPC spokesman told MailOnline: 'Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the man's death.

'We can confirm we received a referral from Cheshire Constabulary this morning (December 2) and we will assess the available information to determine if an investigation is required.'

Chester FC said it had nothing further to say on the matter. 

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support