A hermit who was found dead in his rural house died of unexplained causes, Kirklees Coroner's Court has heard.
Douglas Cass, 79, could have died up to two weeks before he was discovered by concerned neighbours and police, on April 25 this year.
The ‘eccentric’ and ‘spritely’ individual, who had been living alone in poor and damp conditions in his house in Hade Edge for over 30 years, had reportedly been suffering from a chest infection when he was last seen but had never visited his doctor since he signed up several decades ago.
Described as being ‘very independent’ and in good health despite although very slim, he had lived with his mother until she died around 40 years ago and chose to continue to live alone.
Police broke into his home and found Mr Cass on his bed but coroners were unable to establish a cause of death due to the serious decomposition of his body.
One neighbour, Stuart Jackson, who had known him all his life, said: “He would stop to say hello but we were never invited into his home and no friends or relatives visited him.
“He liked machinery and had a push bike that he would take to Manchester and enjoyed spending time in his fields”.
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