Inquest held into death of Gorleston postman Paul Brown

Paul Brown, of Cliff Hill in Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth, was found deceased inside his home on August 17. 

The 59-year-old had not been seen by his neighbours for between two to three weeks, so raised the alarm with Norfolk Police. 

Officers discovered Mr Brown’s body in a bedroom inside the property and believe he had been there for some time. 

An inquest into his death took place at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, based at County Hall. 

Evidence read to the court in Norwich including that of a longtime friend and former colleague. 

He explained that Mr Brown was “let go” from Royal Mail several years ago. 

They had stayed in touch but had not seen each other for a few weeks. He had tried to visit him at his home twice at the end of July but there had been no answer. 

He added that “losing his job was the worst thing that could have happened to him, and he went downhill after this.”  

The last time he saw him, he noticed Mr Brown “really wasn’t looking after himself” and had been struggling following his mum moving into a care home.  

A statement from his brother, Stephen Brown, added that they were “very estranged” and had only spoken recently after their mother became ill – the first time since they were aged 15. 

He said he knew his brother was “very reclusive, did not venture far, and was very withdrawn from society.” 

Officers who discovered Mr Brown’s body said they had been called by a neighbour at around 6.30pm following concerns for his safety. 

Inside his home, they discovered numerous Royal Mail uniform jackets hanging on the back of a bedroom door and a Royal Mail bag that he had been using for shopping. 

He had also been wearing a Royal Mail fleece when he died. 

Senior coroner for Norfolk, Jacqueline Lake, said: “There is no evidence as to the events leading to Mr Brown's death, and the evidence does not reveal the means by which he came by his death.  

“On that basis my conclusion is an open one.”