A SOUTHAMPTON JCB driver died after consuming a cocktail of drugs, an inquest heard.

Emil Holewik was found dead at his home on January 12, but may have been dead for several days before he was found by his neighbour and friend Philip Stacey.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard how the 64-year-old from Lydgate Road, Thornhill, had a history of depression caused by domestic stress.

The court heard Mr Holewik had been struggling since the death of his brother Philip in February last year.

Mr Holewik was due to inherit money from the death but found it difficult to cope with the legal proceedings involved.

The inquest heard the last call he made and the last time he was seen alive by neighbouring residents was on December 31 last year.

Pathologist Dr Victoria Elliot said there was evidence of a combination of substances in his body and concluded the cause of death was substance misuse.

Coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of drug related death.