John Paul Watson had taken both prescription medication and heroin

John Paul Watson, 42, of Turner Street, Redcar, had taken both prescription medication and heroin on January 15, Teesside Coroner’s Court was told. He was found unconscious in bed the following morning by a friend. The court heard Mr Watson had a history of drug and alcohol abuse but was trying to improve his life at the time of his death by studying on a computer course. Pathologist Jan Lowe gave the cause of death as respiratory failure due to the combined effects of the heroin with the other drugs. Deputy coroner Anthony Eastwood recorded a verdict of misadventure.