Man lay 'dead for weeks' before his body was discovered
A RETIRED dentist was found in his home weeks after his death, a court heard.
Gordon Davidson, 59, who was also described as reclusive, was discovered by police on January 31, after neighbours raised concerns.
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Flax Bourton Coroner's Court
At Flax Bourton Coroner's Court it was heard that Mr Davidson had refused medical advise from his doctor after appearing malnourished and unkempt on a number of occasions.
His body was found in such a state of decomposition that the Coroner was unable to give a reason for his death.
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Coroner's officer Kenneth Daniells said Mr Davidson could only be identified by a finger prints expert.
The divorced Mr Davidson, unemployed due to illness, was last seen alive a few weeks earlier by neighbours who called the police when they started to become concerned for his wellbeing.
PC Mike Vass, called to Mr Davidson's home in Turner Gardens, Lockleaze, said he spoke with neighbours before checking with the hospital to see if Mr Davidson was there.
He then banged on the door and shouted for Mr Davidson before breaking the door open.
In a statement read out in court he said: "When I entered the property I could smell what I thought to be a decomposing body.
"In the bedroom I could see laying across the bed a body and I could see that the body had been there for a long period of time."
Mr Davidson's GP at Eastville Medical Practice Jeffrey Parrott said he had known him since 1992. He added that Mr Davidson, who had not been working since the 1980s, was a "thoughtful and intelligent man" who occasionally became aggressive when offered medical advice.
He said in May 2009 he had records of Mr Davidson collapsing due to his malnourished state. It was heard Mr Davidson had no access to his money because of a problem with his PIN number. Dr Parrott also said that Mr Davidson refused to take benefits from social services.
He added that when he saw him at the practice he appeared "unkempt and unwashed" but refused advice.
After a small stroke in 2011, Mr Davidson was again offered help but turned it down.
Assistant deputy coroner Peter Harrowing said: "Mr Davidson seemed to have lived a somewhat reclusive lifestyle, seeming to shun all medical support."
He added: "Despite an extensive post-mortem examination, the cause of death remains unascertained due to the state of decomposition."
Dr Harrowing recorded an open verdict.
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