An entrepreneur died of drug-related heart disease

An entrepreneur died of drug-related heart disease after spending 20 years abusing narcotics when his business collapsed, an inquest heard.

Gerald Welford’s weight had slipped to just five stone when he was admitted to hospital for a methadone programme and treatment for alcohol-induced diabetes in March this year.

But the 52-year-old absconded from St Mary’s Hospital in just a week after admittance and was found dead a fortnight later in his flat in Gloucester Terrace, in Paddington, west London.

Mr Welford, who lived alone, had not been able to work since developing psychiatric problems as his business failed in the mid-80s, Westminster Coroner’s Court heard.

In 1999, he developed chronic obstructive airways disease and was persuaded to begin taking methadone for heroin addiction.

In a statement from the hospital, Dr Onn Min Kon said: ‘He complained of having a cough.

It became evident he had very poor diabetes control.

He stated he needed to go home to get someone some keys.

‘

The inquest was told Mr Welford failed to return to the ward and was discovered dead in his flat by his brother, hotelier Joseph Welford, at 10.

30pm on March 26.

Mr Welford’s brother spent ‘some time alone’ with his body before calling police, the inquest heard.

Pc Joanne Campbell, who was the first officer to arrive at the address, said: ‘The body was on the settee.

‘He was covered in a quilt.

We were told that the body had been sitting up on arrival and was put in the lying position.

‘

Pathologist Dr Patrick O’Donnell gave the cause of death as severe coronary heart disease.

He told the inquest Mr Welford had probably been dead for four or five days when he was found.

Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said: ‘It is true to say there was heroin and methadone in his blood but the overriding feature that caused his death was coronary heart disease.

‘

Verdict: Death by natural causes.

ends