A ST Agnes man who had a history of alcohol abuse died alone in his bungalow, an inquest heard. Ian McGinty found his father's body, John, 61, at his home on Polbrean Avenue on June 16 last year. The former carpenter was last spoken to on June 2, but the exact time of death could not be determined, Cornwall Coroner Dr Emma Carlyon heard.
A pathologist report found he had also broken his ribs which made his breathing difficult and had coronary heart disease. It also stated toxicology tests could not be taken because of the poor condition of the body. Mrs Carlyon said his chaotic lifestyle and health problems could have all contributed towards his death.
Recording that the exact cause of death could not be determined, she added: "It is possible that it was natural causes, but we cannot exclude other factors such as self-neglect and acute alcoholism which may have played a part in his death."