'Sad case' of man dead in a tent

Michael Howells said the circumstances and cause of death were unascertained

A 20-year-old man with a history of drug and alcohol abuse was found dead in a tent he had been living in, in fields in Pembrokeshire.

An inquest heard Jason Morris came from a "loving and caring family" who went "the extra mile" to try to help him but he was "overcome" by his lifestyle.

Post mortem and toxicology examinations found no cause of death and a verdict was given that it was "unascertained".

The coroner said it was "one of the saddest cases" he had ever dealt with.

The inquest in Milford Haven heard Mr Morris had started to display rebellious behaviour in his early teens.

His mother Beverley Turner told the hearing that he had a long history of heavy ketamine use.

Jason came from a loving, and caring family, who have done an awful lot for him Michael Howells, coroner

"Although he was a very loved and fun member of the family, he always seemed to be a bit like square peg in a round hole," she told the hearing.

"He tended to actively seek some kind of destructive lifestyle."

Despite many efforts to help him, he was eventually asked to leave the family home. Accommodation was found for him in Pembroke but he left within two months.

He spent much of his last year living with friends or in one of the three tents that his family provided for him. They would continue to feed him, wash his clothes and give him money.

'Unsatisfactory situation'

Around May this year, he pitched his tent in fields near Pembroke Dock. After he had not been seen for several days, friends went to the tent on 27 August, where they found his body.

A post mortem examination found no serious illnesses or injuries. A toxicology report found a low level of alcohol and possible trace of benzodiazepine and opiates, but not any significant level.

No check was made for ketamine, as it is not routinely checked for.

Pembrokeshire coroner Michael Howells told Mrs Turner if the samples were still available he would ask for this to be done.

Addressing her, he said it's "one of the saddest cases that I've ever had to deal with. Jason came from a loving, and caring family, who have done an awful lot for him.

"He was so overcome by the lifestyle, he could not continue living in the family home any longer."

He said the circumstances and reason for Mr Morris' death were unascertained. "It's an unsatisfactory situation, but that's the best I can do," he added.