A MAN who was being investigated at the time over the death of his friend died of a drug overdose, an inquest heard.

Gareth Turtle would not have faced charges over the death of Paul Barker but like his friend died of a drug overdose, before toxicology results were available to allow police to drop the investigation.

Mr Barker, aged 52, and Mr Turtle, both lived in flats at St Johns Court, off Blackfriars Street in Hereford.

An inquest heard that on September 25, 2020, emergency services had been called to Mr Turtle's flat where Mr Barker was unresponsive and died.

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DS Lewis of Hereford Police Station said that following comments Mr Turtle had made at the scene he was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

On interview the next day Mr Turtle said that Mr Barker had been locked out of his flat on the day that he died.

He told police that the pair had gone out to get some money and then bought heroin.

They consumed alcohol and then both consumed the drug.

He claimed that Mr Barker injected himself and then immediately became unresponsive and he called paramedics.

"Mr Turtle denied assaulting him, unlike comments made the previous night which had led to his arrest," said DS Lewis.

Mr Turtle was bailed by police officers.

A post-mortem of Mr Barker showed no injuries which would have caused his death, there was only small damage to his lip and no damage to his skull.

The post-mortem found that pre-existing heart and lung problems would have made Mr Barker susceptible to an alcohol and drug overdose.

"We had to await toxicology results so extended the bail of Mr Turtle due to the serious nature of the potential investigation," added DS Lewis.

"The cut to his lip could have been caused by a punch or other means. There were no injuries to his skull or brain to consider that his death was due to Mr Turtle.

"Had Mr Turtle lived he would have faced no prosecution over these matters."

Mark Bricknell, coroner for Herefordshire, concluded that Mr Barker died of an alcohol and drug related death.

A subsequent inquest was held on Friday into the death of Mr Turtle, aged 43.

Mr Turtle was found dead in his flat by a concerned friend on November 11.

A post-mortem found heroin, methadone and alcohol in his system.

Becca McLaurin, from drug and alcohol service in Hereford, We are With You, said that Mr Turtle had been struggling with the death of his friend and had a low mood.

She said he had been collecting his medication regularly.

Roland Wooderson, assistant coroner for Herefordshire, concluded that Mr Turtle died from a drug related death.