Inquest hears British Airways cabin crew member Simon Olorenshaw from Tooting died from drugs cocktail after work stress and row with flatmate

Simon Olorenshaw, 49, was found dead in his bed by his flatmate Paolo Prisco on January 3 this year.

He was under stress over upcoming disciplinary action and due to arguments with his flatmate, Westminster Coroner's Court heard.

Mr Olorenshaw, who was diagnosed with HIV in 2010, also had a long history of depression and drug abuse, the hearing was told.

He had returned to London on December 28 after spending a few days over Christmas with his family who said he hadn't seemed his "usual self", the inquest heard.

At some point after arriving back at his home in Mantilla Road, he took a deadly mix of drugs including ketamine, meth amphetamine and diazepam.

Mr Olorenshaw had recently been the victim of fraud, after his credit card was used in Dublin - at the same time his flatmate visited Ireland, the inquest heard.

Coroner's officer Dawn Meekins said: "He was HIV positive, had a history of depression, and there was a disciplinary matter at work coming to a head which was causing him an element of stress."

His mother Susan Allison explained: "He had been suffering from depression for about 10 years, but in the last few months it had got worse.

"He was also taking drugs, both prescribed and illegal, and was suffering from some psychotic episodes in the early autumn.

"There was some fraudulent transactions on a credit card he didn't use. A couple took place in Dublin, which coincided with a visit by his lodger to Ireland, Mr Prisco. He denied involvement.

"Simon came to us on Christmas Eve and appeared very tired, and not his usual self.

"He slept a great deal. His demeanour seemed to improve. He had long talks with family members about his problems, and seemed increasingly resolved to try and improve things.

"He had a short conversation with his stepfather. He talked about how he took GHB, the dangers of the drug, and he was very careful when he took it.

"He assured me sometime in the autumn he didn't inject drugs. But that may have been to shield me from the truth about his addiction.

"On the 28th, we tried to persuade him to stay longer. We also wanted to keep him away from the temptations of drugs in London.

"He drove back to London early that afternoon."

The last text Mr Olorenshaw sent to his family was on December 29, the inquest heard.

Mr Prisco told the family he had not seen Mr Olorenshaw, and they had been communicating by Whatsapp, the inquest heard.

Mrs Allison said: "Between the 3rd and the 9th of January I had many texts with Paolo, who appeared to be very distressed, and tried to be helpful."

Assistant Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said: "There were a number of transactions that took place regarding Simon's credit cards, or clones of them, which Mrs Allison believes to be by Paolo.

"However, she said she cannot definitely link it to Paolo. But the police are continuing inquiries."

In a GP report, Dr Simon Rodhe said: "He had a history of depression, diagnosed in 2013, complicated by anxiety and work stress.

"His depression became more of an issue in September 2015. He described feeling his brain was foggy.

"He also had stress due to work problems and a disciplinary at his employment. At the time, I discussed his work and discipline issues at British Airways.

"He last picked up a prescription in November 2016."

Giving evidence, Police Sergeant Robert Walters said he attended the scene, and found drug paraphernalia, including a bag of white powder.

Flatmate Mr Prisco told officers he had last had contact with Mr Olorenshaw three days before he found him, the inquest heard.

Sgt Walters said: "There were various matters of concern.

"Mr Prisco's account of events was extremely disjointed. He was clearly under the influence of drugs.

"He gave us a series of different dates as to when he last saw the deceased. I found him to be unreliable in an extreme nature.

"He mentioned various sources of conflict, which also included his perception of Mr Olorenshaw as being very untidy."

At some point the two flatmates had a row, and Mr Prisco had left for a couple of days, although they had been texting each other on December 30, the inquest heard.

Police found an ATM receipt dated December 30, and they managed to trace CCTV which appeared to show Mr Olorenshaw using the cash machine.

A post-mortem examination found no signs of head injury or any suspicious marks, the inquest heard.

However, blood analysis found signs of meth amphetamine, ketamine and diazepam in his body, and the cause of death was given as being from a mixed drug cocktail.

The coroner ruled the death was due to a misuse of drugs.

Dr Radcliffe said: "He was clearly under a lot of stress.

"There was some disagreements with his flatmate.

"There had been a disciplinary matter at work that was coming to a head. He had a history of depression, and was taking anti-depressants.

"Tragically he was found dead by his flatmate on January 3.

"There was evidence of drug paraphernalia in the flat. There is a history of heavy drug use - GHB, amphetamine and cocaine. There was no evidence of a suicide note.

"There is no convincing evidence this gentleman took an overdose to end his life.

"Many drugs were present in his system."