A SOUTHAMPTON dad may have been killed by liver disease brought on by nearly three decades of alcoholism, an inquest heard.

Paul Shepherd was found dead in his Northam Road bedsit last year - but tests revealed he had no alcohol or drugs in his system.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard the 61-year-old had been an alcoholic for around 25 years and had a history of heroin and cocaine misuse.

His daughter, Louise, asked police at Monday's inquest to investigate what happened to his watch and mobile phone, which she said were missing from the scene.

She said: "I know my dad never used to take off his watch and if he did, it was on his bedside table."

Mr Shepherd's GP, Dr Mead Matthews, said he often attended appointments drunk and expressed no desire to seek help.

On October 2, Mr Shepherd was found dead on the floor by concerned neighbours who visited his flat after he did not respond to messages.

Detective sergeant Mark Fower told Winchester Coroner's Court on Monday there was "an odd empty can and cigarette butts" in the room but no evidence of a drink or drugs-related death.

But pathologist Dr Adrian Bateman discovered evidence of disease brought on by alcoholism.

"I'm sure he had fatty liver disease with cirrhosis'" Dr Bateman said. "One of the main causes would be chronic excess alcohol usage."

Senior central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short could not rule out death due to an irregular heartbeat but recorded a verdict of death due to natural causes.

After the inquest, Mr Shepherd's daughter told the Daily Echo: "He was my dad and mum and best friend all in one. He's greatly going to be missed by everyone."