A MAN’S body could have lay undiscovered for almost two weeks, an inquest heard.
Martin Radcliffe died from a gastrointestinal episode in his flat at Simpsons Court, Great King Street, Macclesfield, some time around July 8.
It is believed he died on this date after a bag of food and a dated receipt later found in the flat.
The 64-year-old grandfather’s body wasn’t found by police until July 21.
A port mortem examination was unable to find a cause of death initially. But an inquest at Macclesfield Town Hall threw new light on his death. Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg concluded Mr Radcliffe died of natural causes.
Mr Radcliffe, who worked as a cleaner at Broken Cross primary school, was a divorced dad of two. He battled alcoholism most of his life and suffered other medical problems including deep vein thrombosis, the inquest heard. Mr Radcliffe’s daughters Joanne and Louise described their dad as a private man who was a functioning alcoholic.
In his conclusion Mr Rheinberg said: “He had for many years drunk to excess and chose not to address the problem. He led a solitary life and was only intermittently compliant with medical care.”
