A 'LOVABLE rogue' was found dead at his home after a history of drug misuse, an inquest heard. 

Mark Mead, of Levy Road, Andover, died on October 31, 2022. 

The inquest, on Tuesday, February 6 at Winchester Coroners' Court heard that Mr Mead, 48, had been engaging with support services and had been making improvements. 

However, he was deeply impacted by the death of his mother in May 2022. 

Area coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp read a statement provided by Mr Mead's sister Louise Mead. 

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It said: “When mum died, Mark lost a piece of himself. He was a joker, mischievous and a lovable rogue. He never lost his sense of humour. 

“He had a long history of drug use. Our relationship was strained at times because I didn't agree with his lifestyle. 

“Mark was at his happiest when he was with his family. Mark took mum's death very badly. They were in constant contact with each other. 

“For all his faults, he was still my little brother. He's missed by us as a family every day.”

The inquest heard that Mr Mead's cause of death was given as respiratory failure due to multiple drug toxicity. 

A statement from Mr Mead's GP, Dr Benjamin Sharpe of St Mary's Surgery, said that he suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

Speaking to his family, Ms Rhodes-Kemp said: “I'm very sorry for your loss. He was only 48, but had a long history of drug dependence.”

The coroner gave the cause of death as drug-related.