RETIRED engineer Grahame Murray died from hypothermia after a likely fall at his Mobberley home, an inquest has heard.

It is believed that Mr Murray, 87, a single man who was born in Hong Kong, had been dead for a considerable time when his body was found at his Town Lane home by a police officer on December 27.

The read-only inquest into Mr Murray’s death was conducted by Heath Westerman, acting area coroner for Cheshire, at Warrington Coroners Court on Wednesday.

A post-mortem examination on January 9 conducted at Macclesfield District General Hospital found the cause of death to be hypothermia, immobility from a fractured neck and left femur, a fall and chronic lymphoid leukaemia.

The inquest heard that PC Martin Stone went to Mr Murray’s home on December 27 following a report of concern for his welfare.

No contact was able to be made with Mr Murray for a week or two from his mobile phone, so police were informed.

Mr Murray had no family or friends in Cheshire, and they were concerned for him.

Mr Westerman said PC Stone entered the property, and on going through the living room into the hallway discovered the body of Mr Murray face down on the floor facing towards the front door.

The officer believed that Mr Murray had been dead for a considerable length of time, and there were no suspicious circumstances.

Mr Westerman said: “He [Mr Murray] had likely fallen at his home, where he lay undiscovered for some time as a result of immobility from a fractured neck and left femur, which resulted in his death from hypothermia.

“Chronic lymphoid leukaemia contributed to his death, and in those circumstances, and on the evidence that I have read, I am satisfied that a conclusion of accident death, contributed to by natural causes, is appropriate in the circumstances.

“I offer my sincere condolences to any of Mr Murray’s friends who remain.”