Great Yarmouth Mercury - Hopton man Mark Riley died after using cocaine to treat headache -

The estate agent who sold the property to Mark Riley found him dead in the mother’s house in Hopton-on-Sea.

Inquests held in Norwich revealed that the 46-year old died from ketoacidosis, cocaine toxicity and was discovered dead on his sofa.

It was reported that he began to lose weight in the last few months of his life and suffered from severe headaches.

James Harvey, who called Mr Riley “a brother”, said that he last saw him on Friday, 23 September.

He said that his friend told him many times that he suffered from severe headaches, which would only disappear if he drank alcohol or took cocaine.

Kelly Wall, Riley’s ex-partner, told the court Riley complained of headaches and that his health was deteriorating during the months before his death.

Ms Wall, who had a daughter with Mr Riley before their amicable split, said that she had encouraged him to go to a doctor when they last met on a trip to London less than a week before his death.

She said: “I’ve never seen him look as sick as he looked the last time I saw.

Inquest heard that Mr Riley from Romford had moved to Norfolk in order to care for his mother who lived in Hopton-on-Sea.

After her death, the man decided to sell her home and move to Essex to start a removals company.

He was found dead on Sunday, 25th September, after concerns about his well-being were raised. The estate agent used a spare key to allow police entry into the property.