MYSTERY surrounds the death of a Southampton care home resident who was suffering from advanced dementia.
An “open” conclusion was recorded at an inquest into the death of Margaret Sales, 76, who lived at the council-owned Holcroft House in Thornhill.
Senior coroner Grahame Short said he was unable to say she died of natural causes.
A consultant pathologist, Dr Adrian Bateman, said Mrs Sales’ body appeared to contain high levels of the drug donepezil, which is often given to dementia patients.
But he added that a “redistribution” of drugs present in someone’s system could take place after their death.
Describing the cause of Mrs Sales’ death as “unascertained” Dr Bateman referred to the presence of donepezil in her body but added: “On reflection I haven’t got enough evidence to put that as the likely cause.”
Mr Short added: “It’s unfortunate that in some cases people die without a clear cause being found, and this is one of those cases. I have no real choice but to record an open conclusion.”
The hearing was attended by the pensioner’s two sons, Paul Sales, of Hillcrest Avenue in Chandler’s Ford, and Ian Sales, who lives near Hitchen, Hertfordshire.
Asked about the care she received, Paul Sales said: “I was really happy 95% of the time.”
As reported in the Daily Echo, Southampton City Council sparked fury last year by publishing proposals to close Holcroft House and the only other local authority-run care home in the city, Glen Lee in Bitterne, to save money.
Earlier this year the council announced that Holcroft House was staying open.
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