The depressed Old Etonian son of a peer hanged himself from a tree on the family estate in Suffolk, an inquest has heard.
Freddy Henniker-Major, 21, was found in woods at Thornham Hall near Eye in February 2005. Suffolk coroner Peter Dean recorded a verdict of suicide.
The inquest at Ipswich Magistrates' Court heard he had a history of depression and suicidal tendencies.
Lord Henniker-Major said his son had also attacked his mother.
"It was a humiliating, embarrassing and frightening episode," said Lord Henniker-Major, a lawyer .
"It was so out of character for Freddy. If you had known Freddy a couple of years earlier he was the most gentle soul in the world."