Yahoo News Tragic death of Cocker, 50, after 31 years on North Staffordshire's streets
Detectives launched a murder investigation after the death of a man at a North Staffordshire beauty spot. Staffordshire Police quizzed a woman following the death of Darren Brereton.
But she was later released without charge. Now an inquest has ruled Darren - who was known as Cocker - died from a combination of drink and drugs.
Amputee Darren had been living on the streets of North Staffordshire for 31 years - despite his loving parents living in Newcastle-under-Lyme. His body was found in woods at the town's Queen Elizabeth Park on March 3.
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A toxicology report detected heroin and monkey dust among a cocktail of drugs in Darren's body.
North Staffordshire assistant coroner Lindsey Tonks said: “Darren Brereton was found deceased in Queen Elizabeth Park, in Newcastle, on March 3. He was a known drug user who consumed a combination of illicit drugs. My short-form conclusion is drug-related.”
