A MAN found dead inside his home died 'entirely painlessly', a coroner has ruled. 

Paul Edward Pirouet, 42, passed away at his home in Chesham, where police officers and a friend found him.

Mr Pirouet, who lived in Chesham, was discovered on his bed on June 5, 2023, after attempts to contact him had failed, an inquest at Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court learned on Tuesday (January 9).  

Senior Coroner Crispin Giles Butler said: “Sad for someone who was younger than myself.

“It’s sad and it doesn’t seem Paul was intending this at any point.”

He told the inquest, including Mr Pirouet’s uncle and brother who attended in person, that it was “helpful to see people looking out for him but unfortunately it was too late at this stage” when Mr Pirouet’s friend and two police officers went to look for him at his home.

The pair had been friends “for a number of years” amid Mr Pirouet’s health problems and stage four liver disease.

The friend became concerned after Mr Pirouet had gone into hospital for appointments involving his liver and they hadn’t heard from him since, the inquest was told.

“They were shouting through the letter box, but didn’t get a response. Key was in the lock inside and they were concerned post was getting wet. Paul had struggled with alcohol use, which led to the liver disease,” Mr Butler said.

Because of “sufficient concern for Paul,” the police officers tried to kick the door down before using a crowbar to gain entry.

Mr Butler said it was clear he had been “deceased for a period of time” and there were not many “life saving opportunities.”

There were “no signs of injury as someone else being involved,” Mr Butler confirmed.  

The officers said they were concerned for Mr Pirouet’s cat, who was found safe later. Because his cat was there, Mr Pirouet doesn’t “seem to have intended to have done anything” to himself, Mr Butler said.

Mr Pirouet’s tragic death was caused by alcoholic ketoacidosis and codeine toxicity, which as a combination had adverse effect on his cardiac function, a post mortem exam revealed. The underlying alcoholic liver disease was a “contributing factor.”

Codeine painkiller was on Mr Pirouet’s medication list and there was no suggestion of an intentional overdose.

“Paul had felt sufficient ill, had taken to his bed and sadly not recovered,” Mr Butler said.

 The Coroner suspected Mr Pirouet passed away “entirely painlessly” and it was “entirely unintended.”

“If there’s any comfort in that, and the other comfort is his cat survived,” Mr Butler added.

He urged Mr Pirouet’s family to “share the good things about Paul.”