A BASINGSTOKE man died from an accidental overdose after struggling to cope with lockdown, an inquest heard.

Michael Anthony Warrington, 57, died at his home in Gurnsey Close, Popley in April last year.

At an inquest into his death today (Monday, January 25), Portsmouth Coroner's Court heard how he died after accidentally overdosing on prescription medication and heroin.

A toxicology report from the post-mortem detected raised levels of alcohol as well as amitriptyline, which had been prescribed to treat depression and morphine in Mr Warrington’s system.

The father of two suffered from depression and anxiety for many years and it was noted that one of the things that brought him joy was his grandchildren, the court was told. 

Described as a ‘perfect role model’ during their childhood, his daughters said they attribute their hard work ethic to their late father.

Being separated from his family whilst shielding during the pandemic is said to have escalated his depression.

Recording his verdict, coroner Wilkinson said: “Without doubt Michael Warrington was not in a good place at the time of his death.

“He was separated from the very thing that was his saving grace, his family and grandchildren.

“He was in a very dark place. It is more likely that not that he was self-medicating and self-soothing through the use of perhaps extra prescribed medication for anxiety and depression and also sadly taking elicit drugs in the form of heroin.”

Coroner Wilkinson ruled the death accidental adding that Mr Warrington ‘simply got it wrong’.

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