A CORONER has spoken of his disbelief after the “mummified” remains of a man aged 59 were found at his tower block home, 18 months after last being seen.

Robert White’s estranged wife Sandy Carley told a Bournemouth inquest how she had alerted police following the gruesome discovery at Drake Court on Lagland Street, Poole.

The father-of-seven’s body was so badly decomposed he had to be identified by his fingerprints and it was impossible to determine how he died.

Ms Carley recalled how she had fallen for Mr White’s “old school charm” but their relationship had broken up after he started drinking heavily and become involved in the drugs scene.

She added: “He was a good man who had lost his way; I would not tolerate his behaviour any longer.”

The couple separated 15 months after marrying, in February 2007.

Ms Carley said: “He contacted me to tell me he had cancer and I went round but he wouldn’t let me in.

“That was just another of his stories.”

She finally went to Mr White’s flat on February 7 this year after reading a newspaper report about a woman found dead in her home after three years.

She added: “I’d heard Bob had gone to Thailand but had a feeling things weren’t right because I hadn’t seen him for such a long time. I would drive past, on occasions, and see the lounge windows and curtains open. It just didn’t add up.”

In a statement, PC Elizabeth Renshaw said Mr White’s “mummified” remains had been found on the lounge floor.

A pile of unopened post, a newspaper dated July 2010 and a letter dated August 2010 were also found.

In a statement, Mr White’s sister Anita Cummings from Belfast said he had not contacted his family since September 2009 and failed to respond to phone messages, informing him his brother George was terminally ill.

Recording an open verdict, East Dorset Coroner Sheriff Payne said: “No one knew of Mr White’s movements for 18 months; what I find strange is that there were other flats in the same corridor.

“The combination of non-appearance and the smell must have been at least suspicious to some of his neighbours. It’s a very strange set of circumstances.”

After the hearing, Ms Carley from Strouden Park, Bournemouth, said she was still haunted by memories of finding Mr White’s remains.

She added: “I feel very sad that Bob departed from this world in a tower block, with no one knowing he was dead for so long, and hope he can rest in peace.”