Islington Tribune - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS Published: 11 January 2008
Recluse found dead at home
AN amateur songwriter died at his home in Holloway after becoming estranged from his family, an inquest has heard. Neil Naughton, who was found dead at his home in Alexander Road in June last year, had a history of mental illness, a coroner was told on Tuesday.
Unemployed Mr Naughton, described by his sister Donna Dimmock as someone who “liked singing and songwriting”, died little more than a month after his 50th birthday.
The St Pancras inquest was told that, as he had been dead for some time when his body was found, cause of death could not be determined. GP notes classed Mr Naughton, who was found with medication lying nearby, as a drinker and a heavy smoker.
Ms Dimmock, from Essex, told the inquest she had continued to send her brother birthday cards and Christmas cards despite being shut out of his life. “The last time I saw him was when my daughter was a few months old – she is 18 now. I called round to see him. He said: ‘Oh no, not you’, and closed the door.”
Coroner Andrew Reid recorded an open verdict. Speaking after the inquest Ms Dimmock, 48, said that as her brother’s mental illness worsened he increasingly became isolated. He still enjoyed listening to music and was particularly fond of Michael Jackson, Abba and the Beatles. “He was well-known in the area because of his music. He played it loud, but his neighbours didn’t mind because they did too,” she added.