A PENSIONER who died with a plastic bag secured over his head was still grieving over his wife’s death in 2007, an inquest heard.

Carlos de Oleza Russinol De Zagranada, who had lived in Oxfordshire since escaping General Franco’s fascist Spain in the 1950s, was found on April 23 at his home in Crown Lane, Benson.

The 75-year-old was discovered by a neighbour after he had not collected his recycling bin.

He was found lying on his bed with a white plastic bag secured over his head with an elastic band.

On Tuesday, Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard the retired psychiatric nurse, who had worked at Fairmile Hospital, in Cholsey, near Wallingford, was widowed in 2007 and was believed to be in debt.

A statement from friend and neighbour Patrick Swain read: “He would often travel back to Spain and would stay in the best and most expensive hotels and would shop at Harrods and Selfridges.”

Mr Swain added he knew Mr de Oleza Russinol De Zagranada was “up to his limit on his credit-card allowance” and he had tried to release equity in his house.

The statement continued: “I do think Carlos was always struggling with the death of his wife and always grieving.”

Pathologist Dr Elizabeth Soilleux said Mr de Oleza Russinol De Zagranada had died “one to three days prior to the body being found”.

She added: “There was some swelling of the brain in keeping with asphyxia, but it is difficult to give a definitive cause of death.

“I feel fairly confident the cause of death is asphyxia.”

Dc Kim Dugmore, of Thame CID, told the court she attended the scene but found no suicide note.

Coroner Dr Nicholas Gardiner said he was unable to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the pensioner had taken his own life and recorded an open verdict.

Outside court, lifelong friend Jose Marino, 52, from Reading, said Mr de Oleza Russinol De Zagranada was living off his work pension and had bought a sports car not long before he died.

He said: “His wife died recently and he went a bit downhill after that.”