Cold kills pensioner, 73, loath to put heating on

A reclusive pensioner who was “reluctant” to put his heating on has died of hypothermia.

Neighbours found Stephen Fitt, 73, on the floor at his house at Easton Royal near Pewsey, Wilts, on Dec 30, after they went round to deliver supplies. It is not known how long he had been lying there.

The father of three had lived in the village for 20 years, many of them alone. He was known to be “reclusive” and to “keep himself to himself ”, neighbours said. The cause of death was hypothermia, hypertensive heart disease and diabetes mellitus.

An inquest in Salisbury was opened and adjourned to a later date.