Inquest hears death of Mildenhall man was drug related

A Mildenhall man found dead at his home last year had a fatal level of drugs in his body, an inquest has heard.

The body of Graham Audus, 51, was discovered by a friend who called to check on his welfare on December 2.

The naked body of Mr Audus was seen lying on the hall floor of his home in Brick Kiln Road by the friend, who had looked through the letterbox.

The inquest today at Suffolk Coroners Court in Ipswich was told that although the front door was secure, access was gained by the friend through a rear door.

Emergency services were alerted and a paramedic declared Mr Audus to be dead at the scene.

Assistant Suffolk Coroner Kevin McCarthy said drug-related paraphanalia was found on a kitchen work surface and on a coffee table.

Behind the front door were unopened letters which had been posted on November 27.

A post mortem examination conducted at the West Suffolk Hospital concluded that Mr Audus died as a result of excessive opioid intake and brochial pneumonia.

Toxicology tests revealed the presence of morphine, codeine and methadone in blood samples taken from Mr Audus with the morphine being at a level almost nine times what would have been expected to have been found.

Mr Audus, who lived alone, was being supported by the charity Turning Point but had told the organisation in October last year that he enjoyed using drugs and didn't want to stop.

Assistant coroner Mr McCarthy recorded a conclusion that the death of Mr Audus had been drug related.