A MAN with a ‘complicated medical history’ likely died from cocaine use or epilepsy - but a cause of death could not be established.

Darren McCullough was found dead at his flat in Barrow by police after concerns were raised for the 47-year-old’s welfare on January 15.

An inquest into his death heard officers had gone round to the property and forced entry. Mr McCullough was discovered dead in the bedroom.

It was ‘obvious’ that he had been dead for some time. Paramedics arrived and his death was confirmed, Cockermouth Coroners’ Court was told.

A statement from Mr McCullough’s GP at the Risedale Surgery in Barrow said he had a ‘complicated medical history’.

Issues with substance abuse were reported in 1993 and in 2001, he became addicted to heroin and started a methadone programme. He was later diagnosed with Hepatitis B.

In 2010, he stopped taking heroin but was using other substances. He was the victim of a violent assault in 2011.

He broke his jaw in an epileptic seizure in 2012 and was then assaulted again. In 2015, he began using heroin again and in 2017, reported ongoing epileptic fits.

In 2021, Mr McCullough’s heroin and cocaine use continued and he sustained serious injuries after jumping from a 30-foot bridge while under the influence of drugs.

He was treated in hospital in 2022 after falling from his wheelchair and his flat was petrol bombed. There was non-compliance with hospital appointments in 2023.

A toxicology report showed a number of drugs and ethanol were in Mr McCullough’s system when he died. The medical cause of death was unascertained.

Robert Cohen, assistant coroner for Cumbria, said there seemed to be ‘a conundrum’ of at least two possible causes of death. These were sudden death from epilepsy or cocaine use, he said.

Mr Cohen returned a narrative conclusion, which said: “Darren McCullough had a complex medical history entailing serious difficulties with substance misuse and epilepsy.

“On January 15, he was found at home in Barrow. He had died sometime earlier. His death was confirmed.

“It was not possible to identify the precise mechanisms of his death. It was more likely than not, epilepsy, or cocaine use, or a combination of the two.”

Mr Cohen passed on his condolences to Mr McCullough’s family.