Death of father discovered in Colchester churchyard was an accident, coroner rules (From Gazette)

Death of father discovered in Colchester churchyard was an accident, coroner rules

3:34pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News

THE family of a Colchester father discovered dead in a churchyard say mental Health services let him down after a coroner ruled a cocktail of prescription drugs caused his death.

Bruce Moorcroft, 25, was found in St Andrew’s Church in Greenstead on April 29, just a day after being released from The Lakes mental health unit in Turner Road.

In the six weeks before he died, Mr Moorcroft contacted the North Essex Mental Health Foundation, health service Needas, Essex Police and Colchester Council a total of 13 times.

But a serious incident review by the trust ruled his death was “unavoidable”, and said his problems stemmed from alcohol and illegal drug abuse rather than mental health problems.

However, Chelmsford Coroner’s Court heard yesterday how a toxicology report found only traces of alcohol and cannabis in his system.

The tests found Mr Moorcroft’s death was caused by a combination of prescription drugs including methadone, tranquilliser Clonazepam and traces of other drugs.

Mum Michelle, sister Jennifer Metcalf and brother Ash believe he should have been given the help he asked for, rather than handed a prescription.

See Thursday's Gazette for the full report.