Man found dead in Mid Sussex flat

Adda Graichi, 59, from Glebe Rise in Glebe Road, Cuckfield, was found in a state of decomposition on August 12 this year.

The inquest into his death, held at Crawley Coroner’s Court on Tuesday (October 20), heard that the Algerian native had medical problems including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - a lung condition - and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.

On August 6, he had sought medical help due to breathlessness and chest pains.

On August 12, police went to the address after being contacted by a neighbour who was worried about him, having not seen him since August 7 and because there was a smell and flies coming from his flat.

Officers could not enter the communal door of the building, but the force then received another call from a different neighbour who had entered his flat, as the door was unlocked. This was normal behaviour for him, the inquest heard.

He was found in the lounge in a state of decomposition.

Once officers got inside, police confirmed he was deceased at 6.25pm. They also confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

A post-mortem at Worthing Hospital could not ascertain the cause of his death.

Senior coroner Penelope Schofield said: “Having considered the circumstances surrounding Mr Graichi’s death, it is highly likely he has died from natural causes but there is insufficient evidence there to make such a finding, and therefore I am going to leave an open conclusion.”

An open conclusion is a legal term used when the coroner does not have enough evidence to come to any other conclusion about someone’s death.

She offered Mr Graichi’s family her ‘sincere condolences for the sad loss of him in these circumstances’.