A SON has paid tribute to a ‘loved’ father after a coroner was unable to determine the cause of his death.

The inquest at Blackburn Old Town Hall heard John Vincent Latham, known as Vinnie, died at Franklin Ainsworth House, Great Harwood, in July last year.

His brother, Stephen, found the 63-year-old lying on the bed fully clothed and unconscious, with the TV on, three days after he was last seen in public.

Coroner Richard Taylor ruled the cause of death as ‘unidentifiable’ after doctors were unable to find a medical cause due to the rapid decomposition of Mr Latham’s body.

After the inquest Mr Latham’s son, Alex, 38, paid tribute and said: “My dad was well known and well loved. He had a heart of gold.”

Alex’s father, who formerly worked as a heating engineer, was last seen on the morning of Friday, July 20. Staff at Franklin Ainsworth House care for the tenants, including Mr Latham, who had mobility issues, during weekdays but are off duty on weekends, the inquest heard.

Stephen went to visit his brother at his flat to take him to hospital for a dental appointment on Monday, July 23. The inquest heard Stephen took a spare key with him because his brother did not answer his phone calls on that morning.

A personal statement from Stephen read out in court said: “I opened the door, which was initially jammed. I shouted my brother’s name and saw him on the bed and immediately knew he was dead.” During the inquest, Stephen added: “It was a bit of a shock.”

Mr Latham was described in court as a smoker, who regularly drank alcohol and suffered from digestive problems. The inquest heard the former darts player used crutches because he had mobility issues and had previously broken his hip in 2013.

Radiologist Edward Lake, who examined Mr Latham after his death, said a medical cause could not be determined because the body had rapidly decomposed.

He said: "We found the body quite decomposed already. The amount of time (decomposition) takes varies and the most important factor is temperature. Decomposition destroys the evidence that is there.”

It was suggested Mr Latham could have died from heart disease or a stomach ulcer due to his smoking and drinking habits but this could not be verified by the radiologist.

Reaching a conclusion that Mr Latham died from an ‘unidentified natural cause of death’, Mr Taylor said: “You have not had all your questions answered but hope some of them have been.”

After the inquest, Alex said: “I’m quite disappointed that the coroner could not reach a verdict.”