Colchester father accidentally overdosed on medication

Gerald Moul was found dead in his home in Military Road, Colchester, after concerns were raised for his welfare.

Police officers attended the scene on October 27, 2021, and forced entry into his property where they found him kneeling on the floor with his face in his mattress.

Essex Coroner’s Court heard paramedics declared it was too late for resuscitation and the 67-year-old was pronounced dead shortly after 4pm.

Area Coroner Sonia Hayes determined Mr Moul, a retired builder, had died of an accidental drug overdose.

Inquest - Seax House

A post mortem examination at Colchester Hospital revealed his heart was “heavy and significantly enlarged”.

The court heard the 67-year-old had an aortic condition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiorespiratory depression.

Ms Hayes said his conditions had been heightened by his prescribed use of painkiller tramadol.

She added his heart and lungs would have been compromised by the sedative effects of the medication.

Karen Mortimer, a police officer who attended Mr Moul’s house, told the court there were no suspicious circumstances or third party involvement in his death.

She added his property was “cluttered and hoarded” and he was taking a “significant” amount of medication.

Tragic - Military Road, Colchester (Image: Google)

A statement read to the court on behalf of Mr Moul’s family said they had found his death very difficult.

They wrote: “Gerald would not [have] intentionally taken his life.”

The family added he could be “quite forgetful” and had experienced an incident in the past where he had accidentally taken excess medication.

The coroner ruled his death was accidental.

Ms Hayes said: “I would like to offer his [Mr Moul’s] son and other family my sincere condolences.

“I do understand how traumatic this has been for them.”