A much-loved 'true gent' who had been out celebrating after landing a new job died after it is believed he fell outside his home an inquest heard.
Alex Murray, 31, was found unresponsive near the back door by his devastated following what a coroner has described as a 'simple accident.'
Alex had spent the day drinking with friends in various pubs in Blackburn, Lancashire on Saturday, October 1 last year ahead of starting a new job on the following Monday which he is said to have been 'buzzing' about.
The inquest heard that Alex had left the Moorgate pub in the town at around 1am in the early hours of Sunday October 2. He is later believed to have visited another pub before he was seen arriving home at 2.40am on CCTV.
CCTV footage from a neighbour's property showed Alex staggering towards his home on Preston New Road before disappearing around the side of the house, reports Lancs Live.
Sergeant Chris Birchall of Lancashire Constabulary, who was one of the first on the scene following his discovery, said there was no evidence of third-party involvement in Alex's death and that it appeared as if he had fallen or tripped next to a small step in the garden.
"Alex was found lying on the floor with his head on a small step," he said. "He was about six feet away from the side door. It wasn't possible to say exactly what happened but potentially it was a fall."
A post-mortem CT scan revealed Alex had suffered a small subarachnoid haemorrhage where a head injury causes bleeding in the space that surrounds the brain.
He also had a fractured eye socket and toxicology tests found Alex was intoxicated at the time of his death and there was evidence of recent cocaine use.
Neurosurgeon Naufel Ansar was consulted to review the evidence and interpret the medical findings. He told the hearing at Blackburn Town Hall on Thursday, March 16, that although he couldn't definitely say the haemorrhage was the cause of death it was a possibility.
Assistant Coroner Sian Jones returned a conclusion of accidental death. "I am satisfied he had been drinking and had taken some cocaine but neither of those were likely to be the direct cause of his death," she said.
"However the alcohol did affect his mobility and stability and it's likely to have caused or contributed to his fall because it would have increased the risk of him having a fall. I am satisfied that what he suffered was a simple accident."
After the inquest Alex's sister Vanessa told LancsLive: "He was loved by so many people. In Blackburn everyone knew him and I was known as Alex's sister even though I'm older."
"He was over the moon about his new job. He'd found out earlier in the week and I can still see his face after he got the news; he was buzzing all week" his mum added.
After Alex's death dozens of friends paid tribute to him. Chris McKenzie posted on Facebook: "A true gent that I am soo thankful to have known. Missed by many but I'm sure I can speak for everyone in saying he will never be forgotten!"
Blackburn pubs, the Moorgate Arms and the Fox and Hounds held a series of fundraisers to help Alex's family pay for the funeral including an auction with items donated by well-known Blackburn Rovers fan Birdie while a GoFundMe page launched by Alex's sister Vanessa raised more than £7,000.
She wrote on the page "Hi, as I am sure you are all aware by now, my baby brother sadly passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning. This year has dealt us some bad blows and I need your help. Alex was loved by so many so let's give him the send-off he deserves."
READ NEXT:
