The badly decomposed body of a ’reclusive’ man was found at his almshouse home in Newton Abbot, an inquest was told.
Retired furniture remover William Farleigh, 70, was discovered after deliverymen visited the Mackrell Terrace flat on December 14 last year.
A post mortem examination failed to find the cause of death because of the advanced state of decomposition.
South Devon coroner Ian Arrow returned an open conclusion, adding: ’He appears to have collapsed in his front room and was then found deceased lying on his front. It is not apparent what circumstances led to his death.’
Det Sgt Andy Penhaligon said the flat at the warden-controlled building was very untidy and thick with dust.
Mr Farleigh had no sign of injuries or trauma and there was no evidence of a disturbance at the property. No valuables were missing. The death was not deemed suspicious.
He said it was likely Mr Farleigh may have suffered some form of medical episode.
The hearing was told Mr Farleigh was last seen alive in Newton Abbot town centre on December 9, five days before the grim discovery at the flat in Wolborough Street.