Skeletal remains of man discovered inside home in Glemsford, inquest hears

The remains of a 67-year-old man were found inside his home in Glemsford, an inquest heard.

Police were called to investigate after neighbours reported large numbers of flies at the windows of the property in Egremont Street and an unpleasant smell on July 20.

The inquest at Suffolk Coroner’s Court in Ipswich was told that officers could get no reply at the front door and eventually had to break open a door at the rear of the terraced house.

In a statement read to the inquest, Pc Edward Thompson said the ground floor of the house was strewn with black bin bags containing rubbish, crockery and cutlery.

Pc Thompson said that the remains of a man – with a stepladder across his chest – were found nearby, which may have indicated he had suffered a fall.

Identification using DNA showed that the remains were those of Graham Buckley. A post-mortem examination conducted at West Suffolk Hospital was unable to ascertain the cause of death due to decomposition, which had left the remains virtually skeletal.

The inquest heard that environmental health staff from Babergh District Council had obtained a warrant from magistrates to allow them to clear and treat the house as it was considered a risk to public health.

Senior Suffolk coroner Nigel Parsley said there was no evidence to support the suggestion that Mr Buckley had suffered a fall.

Mr Parsley, who recorded an open conclusion, said: “We really don’t know how he came to his death, whether it was an accident or some form of medical incident.”