Open verdict on death of pathologist

Open verdict on death of pathologist

Mr Pearce's body was found in Holywells Park, Ipswich.

A coroner has recorded an open verdict at an inquest into the death of a pathologist found dead in a park.

Christopher Pearce , 54, head of the department of clinical biochemistry at Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk, was found face down near a pond in a local park in September.

His body was found a day after he had been arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Medical evidence showed that Dr Pearce had died from hypothermia.

Tests showed a "considerable" amount of alcohol in his blood as well as drugs including paracetamol.

Dr Pearce's wife, Christine, told the inquest in Ipswich that her husband had been distressed by the death of his elderly mother and also troubled by a back condition.

Recording an open verdict on Friday, Coroner Peter Dean said he had considered the possibility of suicide but could not be certain that Dr Pearce intended to take his own life.