Camden NEws: Death | Recluse

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Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 9 October 2008

Recluse who refused help lay dead for two weeks

A RECLUSIVE pensioner who died in his Gospel Oak flat was not discovered for two weeks because it was “normal” for him not to talk to anyone for days, an inquest has heard.
The only two witnesses at the hearing at St Pancras Coroner’s Court on Tuesday were a police officer and a coroner’s officer.
The court heard how Anthony Barry, 67, was “intolerant” of people and lived a lonely life.
Attempts by police to find any friends or family drew a blank while Mr Barry reportedly drove social workers away from his door in Weedington Road.
St Pancras coroner’s officer Caroline Purton told the court Mr Barry, a heavy drinker and smoker, was reluctant to accept help despite being unable to take care of himself, his finances or his flat.
“He was quite reclusive and didn’t always engage with [social] services,” she added.
Police found more than £1,000 in loose change stuffed in a kitchen drawer.
“We couldn’t trace any next of kin or neighbours that knew him and he didn’t seem to have any friends,” PC Aaron Clarke said.
Although there was a substance trailing from the bathroom to where Mr Barry’s body lay that PC Clarke “believed” to be blood, police ruled out any foul play.
Dr Andrew Reid recorded an open verdict due to the decomposed state of the body.
He said: “His personal hygiene was extremely poor and he couldn’t take care of his flat.
“His irritability and intolerance of people meant the services he received were perhaps not what he needed.”

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