Douglas Spooner, 74, collapsed at his home in Clover Road, Norwich, and lay on the floor for around 15 hours before a neighbour’s relative forced entry and called an ambulance.

When emergency crews entered the property they discovered severe hoarding conditions, with boxes, bin bags and waste piled waist-high in several rooms.

There was evidence of rats and flies, while food had been left to rot.

Mr Spooner, who had suffered strokes and later developed cancer requiring radiotherapy, was admitted to hospital on September 17, 2025, suffering from severe aspiration pneumonia. He died less than three weeks later on October 6.

A post-mortem examination found he died from bronchopneumonia linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), alongside frailty and malnutrition.

The court heard the former carer had devoted more than 40 years of his life to looking after his wife Noreen until her death in 2013.

His niece, Susan Cooper, told the hearing he had always been proud of his appearance.

“He was always smartly dressed, clean shaven and well presented,” she said.

But after his health declined, his living conditions had deteriorated dramatically behind closed doors.

Family members later discovered he had been ordering new clothes regularly so he could appear well presented when leaving the house.

Used clothing had been stuffed into bin bags and stored throughout the property because he no longer had a functioning kitchen or the ability to wash them.

Without working appliances, Mr Spooner had created a makeshift cooking area in his hallway and relied heavily on delivered food.

The inquest heard he had been eating meals from disposable plates and cutlery ordered online in bulk.

Much of the food was left untouched and allowed to rot, contributing to strong smells and fly infestations inside the property.

His niece said it appeared he had been trying to manage alone while hiding the reality of how he was living.

“He was too proud to ask for help and terrified of losing the home he had shared with his wife,” she said.

Emergency crews who attended the collapse described the property as extremely unsanitary and rated the level of hoarding nine out of ten, raising a safeguarding concern.

Despite the conditions, the court heard Mr Spooner had been determined to remain in his home and had taken steps to disguise the extent of his decline.

Mr Spooner had previously received a care package that included cleaning, hygiene support and transport to a stroke club, but he cancelled it in 2017 following a financial reassessment.

Clarion Housing Group, which managed the bungalow, told the court Mr Spooner was responsible for replacing his own white goods and that a service visit earlier in 2025 had not raised concerns.

Recording a conclusion of natural causes linked to self-neglect, Christopher Leach, sitting at Norfolk Coroner's Court, said the 74-year-old had been suffering from severe lung disease and infection.

He said the condition of the property showed evidence of hoarding and vermin but there was no indication of failings by others.

“I am satisfied Mr Spooner was doing his best to look after himself,” he said.

The coroner concluded Mr Spooner died from bronchopneumonia linked to COPD, alongside frailty, malnutrition and self-neglect.

© Norwich Evening News