Inquest: Pensioner's decomposed body found on sofa at his home (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Inquest into death of Upton St Leonards pensioner found on his sofa

5:13pm Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News

A PENSIONER’S decomposing body was discovered on the sofa at his home, an inquest heard today.

Melvyn Silvey, 70, was found by police after they forced entry to his home at Witcombe Close, Upton St Leonards, on June 26 last year.

His body was in such poor condition that it was impossible to rule a precise cause of death and he had to be identified by DNA evidence.

His sister, Jocelyn Silvey, said her father developed behavioural problems in his teens that led to him becoming a recluse later in life.

She said the family had concerns about his diet and he lived a “very private life.”

Consultant pathologist Dr John McCarthy, who carried out a post mortem examination, said Mr Silvey was 5ft 6in tall but weighed only 7st 3lb.

The Gloucestershire inquest heard his body showed evidence of hypothermia, malnutrition and heart disease.

But the doctor could not be certain which disease process had caused his death.

There were no injuries and no drugs or alcohol were found in the body.

Gloucestershire Deputy Coroner David Dooley said Mr Silvey had behavioural problems but full mental capacity.

His family had been concerned over his diet and there was evidence of a chronic failure to eat properly.

The coroner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes, contributed to by Mr Silvey’s self-neglect.