Sudbury man found dead at home after alarm raised

A Sudbury man was found dead at his home after worried relatives who could not contact him went to the police, an inquest has been told.

Officers called by Mark Eggleton’s mother and step-father went to the property in Windsor Place on July 19 and found curtains and blankets over the windows and a chair behind the door.

Today (Monday) the inquest at Bury St Edmunds heard that police broke in and found the body of Mr Eggleton, 45, on his knees in a bedroom. A needle mark was noted in his left shoulder.

Assistant Suffolk Coroner Dr Daniel Sharpstone said that Mr Eggleton, who had bipolar disorder, had three months earlier attempted to take his life and had been receiving support from mental health professionals.

A post mortem examination showed that Mr Eggleton died as a result of cardiac respiratory failure and opiate overdose.

The inquest heard a GP’s report which said that Mr Eggleton had a long history of mental health problems.

While receiving mental health support, Mr Eggleton had told staff that at one stage he was taking heroin daily and drinking two or three bottles of wine to help him get to sleep.

Assistant Coroner Dr Sharpstone recorded a conclusion that Mr Eggleton died as a result of cardiac respiratory failure against a background of mixed opiate and alcohol overdose.