A 62-year-old man died alone in his home and was discovered more than a week later sitting upright on the sofa, an inquest heard.
Neighbours began to worry about Brian Anderson and told the caretaker of their flats in Islip Street, Kentish Town, that he had not been seen for more than a week.
On December 21 last year, caretaker Edward Watson broke into open Mr Anderson’s home with a credit card.
The dead man, who suffered from bladder cancer, was found sitting upright in front of the television.
A statement from Mr Watson, read during the inquest at St Pancras Coroner’s Court yesterday, said: “As soon as I opened the flat I could smell something terrible.
“I saw Anderson sat on the sofa. We immediately went outside and called police.” Police found the heating, lights and television on in the flat and Mr Anderson’s body in a bad state of decomposition.
Deputy Coroner Dr Gail Elliman said the cause of death was unascertained and recorded an open verdict.
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