Man hadn’t been seen for days before his death

NEIGHBOURS WERE WORRIED AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE

A 62-YEAR-OLD man was found dead in his home after he had not been seen for five days, an inquest heard.

Christopher Plant, who was found by police, had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, coupled with mental health issues.

He was found at his home in Radhurst Rise, Barton under Needwood, on August 19.

The inquest heard he was under the care of mental health services at the time of his death and it was one of its care coordinators who last saw him alive.

The inquest was held virtually and conducted by South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Haigh.

Mr Plant’s GP said he had suffered from two drug overdoses in the past.

The inquest heard a written statement from Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides physical and mental health, learning disabilities and adult social care services.

A spokesman for the organisation said: “Our care coordinator conducted a home visit on August 13 and gave him a week’s worth of medication. He said he was well but had been drinking more in the past few days.

“He appeared intoxicated but was mobile. She organised his electricity and put his phone on charge.

“He said he felt fed up but felt safe and would be okay in the next few days. This was not an unusual presentation of him.”

The coordinator last spoke to Mr Plant on August 14 by phone to help him find his electric key.

On August 19 neighbours contacted

Trent and Dove Housing after becoming concerned that they had not seen Mr Plant for five days.

The association called the police who forced entry to a locked back door to his home and they found Mr Plant inside.

They also found prescribed medications in the room, some opened and some not, the hearing was told.

Officers told the inquest that they found no suicide note and no evidence of a suspicious death.

In summing up, Mr Haigh said: “He was known to have a number of health problems in his life, the use of drugs, alcohol, episodes of self-harm and psychological problems and a heart attack.

“It is not known when he died but he was last seen by the care coordinator on August 14 and neighbours reported they had not seen him for five days.

“A toxicology report found a number of medications in his system but not of a toxic level.

“The likelihood is the main factor is heart disease but it is not a natural death due to his use of drugs.”

Therefore, Mr Haigh recorded a narrative verdict and said Mr Plant was found dead at home on August 19.

He gave a cause of death as myocardial infarction (heart attack), ischemic heart disease with a mixture of drugs and chronic alcohol excess with medication.

■ If you are experiencing mental health problems, feeling suicidal, or are concerned about someone else, support is available. Speak with your GP, who can refer you to appropriate local services, contact the Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline on 0808 800 2234 for out-ofhours support, or call the Samaritans on 116 123 for a listening ear that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.