A LEIGHTON man found dead of a drug overdose did not intend to kill himself, an inquest heard on Wednesday.

Mark Anthony Elding was discovered at his home in Chiltern Gardens on April 7 this year.

The inquest heard that family members became concerned after Mr Elding, 41, failed to join them for Sunday lunch the day before he died and attempts to contact him were unsuccessful.

Coroner David Morris said Mr Elding's sister-in-law used a spare key to gain entry to her relative's house and found his body in a chair in the living room.

Mr Morris said the television and a lamp were on and the dead man was "surrounded by a vast amount of medication", including the pain killers tramadol and codeine. A syringe was also found beside the body.

The inquest heard evidence that Mr Elding was suffering post traumatic stress disorder caused by his experiences during the London bombings of July 7, 2005, and long-term pain from injuries received during a road traffic collision.

Mr Morris also read evidence that Mr Elding was addicted to codeine, which he had taken to crushing and injecting rather than taking it orally as prescribed.

Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Morris said: "He suffered excessive pain and had been taking medication for many years."

He went on to say that there was nothing to suggest Mr Elding had intended to take his own life and the final dose had been too much for his already damaged organs.

"His system was shot," said the coroner.