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Open verdict on former editor found dead at home

An open verdict has been recorded at the inquest into the death of a former weekly editor and freelance sub-editor.

Gerard ‘Ged’ Phelan was found dead at his home in the Worcestershire town of Bewdley in October last year.

Police officers had to force their way into his house where they found the 58-year-old.

Deputy coroner Margaret Barnard, sitting at Stourport, said she believed Mr Phelan had been at his home for some time before he was found because of all the newspapers and mail near his front door.

She added that the cause of death was unascertained and recorded an open verdict due to the absence of evidence, the Kidderminster Shuttle reports.

Gerard worked as a freelance sub-editor for the Shuttle among other publications and had been editor of the North Devon Advertiser during the 1990s.

Former colleagues lined up to pay tribute to him at the time of his death.