A FORMER roofer who had type 1 diabetes died after a complication caused by a lack of insulin, an inquest heard.

Marc Collier, 32, was found dead at Lucy Faithfull House hostel, Speedwell Street, on March 25 this year.

At an inquest held at Oxford Coroner’s Court yesterday it was revealed he suffered from diabetes and needed regular insulin injections.

The inquest heard that Mr Collier had daily welfare checks at 11am, 3pm and 6pm due to his condition. On the day of his death, support worker Rachel Humphrey and a colleague let themselves into his room after receiving no response when they knocked at 11am.

Assistant coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said: “He was found sitting in his chair facing the bed.”

Paramedics were called to the scene and performed CPR, briefly restoring a heartbeat, but he was pronounced dead at the John Radcliffe hospital at 1.15pm.

According to a report by Dr Rob Schafer, Mr Collier’s GP, he had been addicted to heroin, crack, alcohol and over-the-counter medicines, and had been prescribed methadone to ease off his addiction. However, in a report on March 7 of this year, Dr Schafer added: “It feels like he is coming to the end of his drug use and does not enjoy it any more.”

A toxicology report found high levels of a chemical known as BhB in Mr Collier’s system, implying ketoacidosis – a life-threatening complication of diabetes caused by a lack of insulin in the body.

Recording an official verdict of natural causes Ms Rhodes-Kemp said: “I am satisfied that ketoacidosis is the main cause of death.”