Man, 45, was found dead after four weeks

INQUEST HEARS CAUSE OF DEATH COULD NOT BE DETERMINED

A 45-YEAR-OLD Polish man who had problems with alcohol and drugs was found dead in his Burton home after not being seen for a month, an inquest heard.

The body of Maciej Rusek was found at his home address in Christ Court, Burton, on Wednesday, October 17.

An inquest ruled that the cause of death could not be established due to the length of time the body had been left, with the coroner concluding that it was “unascertainable”.

Police officers had to force entry after a friend of Mr Rusek told them he had not been seen for four weeks.

Liam Kelly, from Staffordshire Police, attended the scene on October 17 and revealed there was no suspicion of third-party involvement in his death, and circumstances had been “suitably looked at”.

He also said there were no signs to suggest Mr Rusek had deliberately harmed himself.

PC Kelly said: “We had a report that came in through the front office in Burton from a friend saying that he had not been seen or heard from for about four weeks on the day reported.

“He was down as a missing person. We attended his property and couldn’t get an answer.

“Entry was gained and Mr Rusek was discovered.”

The officer added that Mr Rusek was found in bed in the only bedroom. There was a bottle of vodka on the bedside table with a “tiny bit in the bottom”.

Letters read from Queen’s Hospital in Burton detailed that Mr Rusek had attended on a number of occasions in 2017 and 2018 over alcohol and drug consumption.

South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Haigh said: “He was a Polish national. He was a gentleman who was known to have problems with alcohol and excessive drug abuse at times.

“There were a number of hospital attendances by him in an intoxicated state for the last couple of years.

“By October 17 he had not been seen for some time. A report comes in from a friend that says she hadn’t seen him in four weeks.

“After that, police make inquiries and attend the premises and after a while the landlord attends and entry is gained.

“Mr Rusek is found dead in bed inside. His body is quite badly decomposed, it’s not possible for there to be a worthwhile post mortem examination or toxicological examination.

“The cause of death has to remain unascertained. There’s a strong possibility of alcohol or drugs being used so I cannot say whether this is a natural death or unnatural death.

“Under those circumstances have to leave matters open.”

Concluding the inquest, Mr Haigh added: “I would take this opportunity to convey my sympathy to family or friends of Mr Rusek.

“He came to this country for a better life but he’s ended up dying at the age of 45 under rather sad circumstances.”

Mr Haigh recorded an open verdict. I