Andrew Mountford, 50, found dead in Bridgwater. Inquest reveals fatal combination of drugs as the cause.
An inquest was held on February 27, 2025 in Taunton. It investigated Mr. Mountford’s death. Multiple substances in his system caused it: ethanol, morphine, and diazepam proved deadly. Cocaine use in the past also contributed.
Bystanders found Mr. Mountford in Blake Gardens. He wasn’t responding. They did CPR and called emergency services. Police arrived around 6:40 a.m.
Mr. Mountford had nothing with him and no visible injuries, so police could not identify him at first. Officers erected a cordon at Blake Gardens. Fingerprints matched records in the National Fingerprint Database. These records identified Mr. Mountford.
He had been in Fore Street shortly before death. A witness said he seemed okay, but he did mention a cough. Mr. Mountford had Hepatitis-C, and he sought help for this condition; Somerset’s homeless nursing service aided him between December 2023 and January 2024.
CCTV footage showed him unsteady as he put his hands on his chest. People were smoking in Blake Gardens with him. One witness said it was strong cannabis. Another thought he did a “snowball,” which is a mix of heroin and cocaine.
A post-mortem report described his body. The features indicated he was outside and likely in a damp area. A town warden gave evidence, stating Mr. Mountford lived in a tent in Trinity Gardens. The tent was taken down on April 2, 2025.
His sister, Peggy Mountford, gave a statement. She hadn’t spoken to him since around 2000. Their father died when Andrew was ten, and he had behavioral issues from age fourteen. He was once violent and tried to burn the house.
The Assistant Coroner closed the inquest and expressed condolences to the family.