Tragedy as dog walker dies after falling over wall, his inquest is told

Much-loved stepdad who was known as a ‘cheeky chap’ leaves behind mystery as to where his wider family live

THE family of a ‘happygo-lucky bloke’ have paid tribute to him after he died after suffering a head injury when he fell over a wall.

Matthew Burgess, known by family and friends as Pops, died on August 29 last year with multi-organ failure that developed after the fall, an inquest at Portsmouth

Coroner’s Court heard last Thursday.

The 44-year-old had been to see medics at A&E in Queen Alexandra Hospital several times since he fell on July 16.

His stepdaughter Emma Giacopazzi, 28, said: ‘He was a happy-go-lucky bloke.

‘He was a cheeky chap

Emma Giacopazzi when it came to the law but he loved everyone.

‘He loved his family and he loved his friends.

‘He would do anything for anyone and that was part of his problem.’

The inquest also heard about an alleged assault by an unidentified person on Mr Burgess on July 5 at his home in Portsmouth.

He lived with his partner Samantha Martin, Emma’s mother.

Tragically she he died three weeks before Mr Burgess.

Mum-of-one Emma, who also has a younger sister Molly, 22, and brother Jake Gurr, 25, said: ‘It has been a difficult time for our family.

‘They were together for more than 10 years and Pops said he would never be able to live without my mum and he proved it.

‘He was the best stepdad.’ Coroner Jason Pegg recorded an accidental death.

He said: ‘The deceased suffered a fall on July 16, 2019.

‘Whilst walking a dog, the deceased fell over a wall causing a head injury.

‘The significance of that head injury was not recognised by the deceased and subsequently caused the deceased to develop multiorgan failure.

‘The deceased had consumed a significant quantity of oxycodone when admitted to hospital on August 15, 2019 which contributed to the death.’

Emma and her siblings are now trying to find Mr Burgess’ family, who they believe live in Manchester.

Emma added: ‘He gave me a pocket watch and wanted me to give it to his daughter but we can’t track down his family. We want them to know what happened to him and to give the watch to them.’

Contact Emma at emmagiacopazzi5@gmail.com

He loved his family and he loved his friends. He would do anything for anyone...