IPSWICH coroner Peter Dean has opened the inquest into the death of an Ipswich pathologist found dead less than 24 hours after leaving police custody.The body of Oxford-educated Christopher Pearce was found by an elderly dog walker in Holywells Park on December 30.
IPSWICH coroner Peter Dean has opened the inquest into the death of an Ipswich pathologist found dead less than 24 hours after leaving police custody.
The body of Oxford-educated Christopher Pearce was found by an elderly dog walker in Holywells Park on December 30.
A knife was found beside the body of the 54-year-old who had worked at Ipswich Hospital for 12 years.
A post mortem by Home Office Pathologist Doctor Michael Heath ruled out foul play.
The top surgeon's death provoked questions as to whether he had taken his own life following an interview by police.
The Police Complaints Authority will oversee the investigation into the doctor's death because he died less than 24 hours after leaving a police cell.
The inquest into Dr Pearce's death was adjourned after Dr Dean heard formal evidence of identification.
It heard that the results of toxicology tests, indicating whether there were any drugs or alcohol in his blood stream, were still awaited by the police investigating the incident.
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