By James Johnson

Last updated at 11:03, Saturday, 10 November 2012

A man may have been dead in his home for three weeks before his body was found by his landlord, an inquest heard.

Robert Taylor Walker was found on November 13 last year on the floor of his home at Lazonby Terrace, Carlisle, after his landlord became worried and searched the premises.

The exact date of Mr Walker’s death is unknown, but his body was so decomposed that the 69-year-old had to be identified by tattoos on his arms. He lived alone after his marriage collapsed because of his alcohol consumption.

He was born in County Durham in 1942 but moved to Carlisle because his dad didn’t want his sons growing up to work in the mines.

He worked as a lorry driver and was married twice, having children from both marriages.

Mr Walker’s sister, Elizabeth Thompson, said: “He was putting the drink before anything else and sometimes he didn’t recognise me.

“In the last few years he went down hill.”

Recording an open verdict, Dr Robert Chapman, assistant deputy coroner, said: “He suffered from alcohol problems and had been admitted to hospital a number of times throughout his life. What eventually got to him and finished his life was that he started drinking too much and went to pieces.

“He didn’t look after himself and it has not been possible to ascertain the cause of his death.”..

First published at 10:25, Saturday, 10 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk