AN inquest into the death of a man who was stabbed in the lung has been opened.

Carl Hopkins, 49, was found dead in Ryegate Road, Colchester, on Monday morning.

He had been stabbed in the back and a post mortem examination carried out by pathologist Dr Jonathan Swift at Colchester Hispital revealed he had died from injuries to his lung.

Police have launched a murder investigation and are linking Mr Hopkins’ death to another incident at 10pm on Sunday when another man - aged 40 - was taken to hospital with serious injuries after he was also knifed in the back.

Both are believed to be isolated and related to drugs.

During a short hearing on Friday, senior coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray opened the inquest into Mr Hopkins’ death and adjourned it.

The court heard Mr Hopkins had no fixed address and had been found on Sunday by a passing dog walker.

She has not set a date for a full inquest as court proceedings may take place following the police investigation.

Det Supt Stephen Jennings of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate is leading the investigation .

He has said there is no risk to the wider public and insisted specialist officers were working around the clock in a bid to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

Anyone with information about Mr Hopkins’ death should contact the North Major Crime team on 101 quoting incident 208 of Monday.

Officers are particularly searching for anyone with dash cam footage from the town centre from Sunday night and want them to get in touch.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.