A PENSIONER who was found collapsed on a city street died of stab wounds to the neck and chest, it has been revealed.

Residents of Morris Road in the Polygon area of Southampton rushed to John Willdig’s aid when he was found on their road.

They desperately tried to stem the bleeding while attempting to resuscitate the 70-year-old, of Nelson Road, Southampton, as they waited for the emergency services to arrive.

But, as previously reported by the Daily Echo, Mr Willdig died at Southampton General Hospital on June 23.

A post-mortem examination revealed that he died of multiple stab wounds.

Now, an inquest has been opened to find out what happened in his final hours.

The hearing at Southampton Coroner’s Court took just five minutes as central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short revealed that the cause of death was likely to be stab wounds to Mr Willdig’s neck and chest.

But the inquest was adjourned as the court awaits more evidence.

Since his death, police have arrested four people.

Paul Keith Humphries appeared at Winchester Crown Court on June 27 charged with murdering the pensioner but Judge Guy Boney QC adjourned the case for a plea and case management hearing on September 5. A provisional trial date has been listed for December 1.

The 35-year-old, from Morris Road, Southampton, was remanded in custody after the five-minute hearing.

Officers also arrested a 69-year-old woman who remains on police bail and two men, aged 43 and 53 from Southampton, but no further action is being taken against the men.

Police are still appealing for anyone with information which could assist the investigation to call 101 and ask for the Hampshire Major Investigation Team in Southampton, quoting Operation Fabia.