A MAN whose death sparked a murder investigation died from alcohol abuse, an inquest revealed.

Police launched a murder probe after 42-year-old Jeremy Vaughan was found dead with facial injuries inside a tent in Maendy Way, Cwmbran, on September 28, 2012.

An inquest heard that the man initially held on suspicion of his murder, Jason Blight, was a friend who had allowed him to stay in his back garden for a few nights.

Gwent Police Insp Alun Davies told the Newport inquest a neighbour had heard someone in the garden "in pain" and "crying" two days before the grim discovery.

Then on September 27, the neighbour had seen Mr Blight crouched down, rocking back and forth, and heard him say words like "What am I going to do? Why, God, why?", the inquest heard.

Detectives arrested Mr Blight but he denied any involvement with the death and he was later released without charge, Gwent Coroners' Court heard.

Police found Mr Vaughan with a wrist wound and minor facial injuries but enquiries led them to conclude the hand injury was around a month old and the facial ones had probably been sustained in falls after he had drunk alcohol, the court heard.

A post mortem examination conducted by Home Office pathologist Stephen Leadbeatter showed that Mr Vaughan had died of a blood acidity called acidosis caused by alcohol misuse and type 1 diabetes.

Insp Davies told the inquest that police had worked under the assumption Mr Blight may have put off reporting the death for 24 hours but felt it was not in the public interest to press charges on these grounds.

Deputy coroner, Wendy James, recorded a verdict of misadventure.

She told the court: "Mr Blight was arrested on suspicion of murder but was released without charge.

"I am satisfied that the lifestyle Mr Vaughan led ultimately resulted in his death.

"I am also satisfied there was no third party involvement.

"I conclude that the proper verdict in this instance is that of misadventure."

A GWENT Police spokeswoman said after the hearing: "When responding to a report of a sudden death officers have to act quickly to assess and examine the scene, gather evidence and identify any key individuals they need to speak to.

"All potential causes of death are considered and the senior investigating officer will ensure that all lines of enquiry are followed thoroughly.

"In this particular case, on first arrival officers believed that the death may have been suspicious and therefore the appropriate action was taken.

"As slow-time lines of enquiry were followed and more information gained, officers reclassified the death as unexplained pending the result of the post mortem."