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Teacher died of overdose
A TROUBLED teacher found dead at his Chesterfield home had taken an overdose of heroin, an inquest heard.
Adam Cooper (39) had been in a relationship that broke down following the death of his four-month-old daughter, Matilda, more than three years ago.
He was upset by the separation and began to show signs of depression, his mother's partner, Kim Dunston, told police. His depression deepened when his role as a Doncaster teacher "changed drastically", stated Mr Dunston, who last saw him on February 20, when he helped with renovations to Mr Cooper's bungalow.
The Chesterfield inquest was told Mr Cooper's mum Ann phoned her son the next day without an answer. She visited his Hady Lane home on February 22 and, getting no response, found the property was locked.
She called her partner and they forced entry by smashing the window and discovered Mr Dunston's body in the living room and called emergency services. Hypodermic needles were on the coffee table and a further ten syringes, heroin powder and items of drug equipment were nearby.
Post-mortem tests revealed that he had died from heroin toxicity. Traces of cocaine were also found during analysis of blood and urine samples. Mr Dunston said Mr Cooper's behaviour in the weeks prior to his death had not indicated drug abuse.
Deputy north Derbyshire Coroner Nigel Anderson recorded a verdict of death from non-dependant drug abuse.
He said there was no evidence of suicide and police had found no suspicious circumstances at Mr Cooper's home.
"It seems he had been suffering some depression as a result of various things that had happened in his life that were wholly out of his control," he said.
"We possibly have a single incident where he has taken too much of an illegal drug, perhaps because of his depression."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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