A SON was found dead at his home by his parents after they attempted to drop his birthday presents round, an inquest heard.

Stephen Ralph, 44, of Stuart Crescent in Stanmore, Winchester, was found unresponsive in his bed by his family on May 15, 2021, the day after his birthday.

An inquest at Winchester Coroner's Court on Friday, August 12 heard that he died due to the toxic effects of multiple drugs, which were found in his system.

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The inquest heard that he had suffered from a “long history of drug and alcohol dependency", which dated back from 2004 to the date of his death.

Mr Ralph had last made contact with his mother Janette Elkins, the day before his death, on May 14.

Area Coroner Darren Stewart read her statement to the court, he said: “On the May 14 she was at home when she received a call from Stephen.

“He said, ‘Hi mum it’s Stephen’ and she wished him a happy birthday and said he seemed his happy bubbly self.

“She told him they, her and her husband, would drop his cards and presents round but he asked them to come the next day when they would also have to drop off his medication.”

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Concerns were raised for Stephen when he did not answer the door, and his stepfather, Dennis Elkins gained access to his home by using a spare key on May 15.

Mr Ralph was found unresponsive, and the emergency services were called but there was “no life-saving opportunity”. The 44-year-old was pronounced dead at his home.

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Mr Ralph had started drinking from a young age and had suffered abuse as a child.

Mr Stewart recorded the cause of death as being “death by drugs”.

He said: “He had a long history of substance dependency and abuse which had impacted on his quality of life, which resulted due to his use of drugs and injections.

“There is no evidence before me to suggest that he took his own life. He fell victim to that dependency.”