MYSTERY surrounds the death of a chronic drug abuser who swallowed a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs and alcohol.

The lifeless body of 52-year-old Siegfried McEwan, better known as Ziggy, was found on the bed of his Trowbridge flat by his best friend.

Deputy Wiltshire coroner William Bache, sitting at Chippenham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, heard how Mr McEwan had been a heavy drug user for more than 30 years.

In a statement, Mr McEwan's stepfather Michael said his adopted son was into any drugs he could find.

At the inquest it was revealed Mr McEwan suffered a lifetime of depression and was worried about an upcoming court case relating to a hammer attack on another man.

Best friend Mark Field said Mr McEwan needed a daily cocktail of prescription drugs to battle depression.

The daily prescription was to stop the 52-year-old "binging" on pills.

He said Mr McEwan had tried three times to commit suicide.

A note was found at the Francis Street flat discovered when Mr Field and his girlfriend Gemma went to visit on November 15.

A pathologist report revealed Mr McEwan had taken a lethal combination of three prescription drugs including diazepam and dihydrocodine.

Dr Christine Scott said the mixture of drugs rather than the quantity taken would have been responsible for Mr McEwan's death.

Coroner Mr Bache said he was "deeply suspicious" about whether Mr McEwan knew the combination of drugs he took was a lethal one.

He said: "It is plain that Mr McEwan had been a chronic abuser of drugs for very many years.

"There is nevertheless some lurking doubt about the matter in my mind.

He recorded an open verdict.