A NEW FOREST man may have been dead for “weeks” before he was found, an inquest heard.

Philip Davies from New Milton was found dead at his home by police officers after being alerted by a postman on May 13.

Winchester Coroners’ Court heard how it was difficult to say how long Mr Davies, 51, had been dead, due to the advanced state of decomposition.

PC Dan Lines, who was working at Lyndhurst Police Station at the time, discovered Mr Davies' body in the hallway of his home in Longley Gardens, after forcing his way into the property.

He said there was a “large” amount of post addressed to Mr Davies and also said the property was locked, but had been kept in a tidy state.

Consultant histopathologist Dr Sanjay Jogai said Mr Davies had last been seen on March 21 when he collected a prescription, but did not attend an eye appointment on April 10.

The hearing heard how Mr Davies had moved to the area from Bournemouth.

A post mortem showed Mr Davies had no external or internal injuries other than his heart showing signs of sclerosis, and a toxicology test carried out by Peter Street.

Dr Jogai, said: “Taking into account all the findings, it is very difficult to be absolutely certain, but on balance this was a cardiac event and he died at his property and was not found by anyone for several days.”

Mr Jogai later said when asked by coroner Sarah Whitby about how long Mr Davies had been dead for, that it may have been “several” weeks.

A report from Dr Debbie Miles from the Arnewood Practice in New Milton stated Mr Davies had suffered from depression and had other mental health issues and was previously supported by mental health services in Dorset.

Assistant Deputy Coroner Sarah Whitby recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.