A NEWPORT man found dead at his home the day after Boxing Day died of unknown causes, an inquest heard.

Derek Duthie, 56, from Birchgrove, Llanmartin, was found dead on the bathroom floor of his flat by police who were called to the address by his ex-wife Leslie when she became concerned she could not contact him.

He was found with cuts to his wrists and stab wounds near his chest and midriff.

Gwent coroner David Bowen recorded an open verdict after post-mortem examination results were inconclusive.

Mr Duthie was last seen alive on Christmas Eve when he exchanged presents with his children.

The inquest heard he had a long history of problems with alcohol but on Christmas Eve he told Mrs Duthie he was giving up drinking for good. He was found dead two days later.

A post-mortem examination confirmed Mr Duthie had a heart condition called cardiomyopathy - a disease of the heart muscles, which he took Warferin tablets to control.

The examination found he had several health problems relating to a history of alcohol misuse, which could lead to an irregular rhythm of the heart which might be fatal.

A toxicology analysis found traces of two drugs Mr Duthie was taking for depression, one of which was found to be higher than the amount prescribed. No traces of alcohol were found.

Mr Duthie had cuts to his wrists and stab wounds to his chest and midriff but pathologist Dr Stephen Leadbeatter said these were only superficial injuries.

He concluded by saying he could not determine a cause of death.

He said: “It could have been natural causes, it could have been the deliberate ingestion of tablets, but one thing is clear is that there was no third party involvement.”

Coroner Mr Bowen told Mrs Duthie: “We cannot determine how your former husband died. It will forever remain a mystery.”