A MANIC depressive whose decomposed body was found on wasteland in Church may have been strangled, an inquest heard.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Andre Rebello said he could not rule out the possibility that Richard Westhead, 27, had been killed.

The inquest heard the body was discovered by two schoolboys playing truant from Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, on March 13.

Forensic experts had been unable to determine the exact cause of death because the body was so decomposed.

But Home Office pathologist Dr John Rutherford said his examination had revealed a broken bone in the neck.

Dr Rutherford said it was the kind of injury normally associated with manual strangulation.

He said it could possibly have been caused by a fall but agreed with Mr Rebello that this was unlikely.

Recording an open verdict, Mr Rebello said the length of time that the body had remained undiscovered meant it was impossible to ascertain the medical cause of death.

"I certainly cannot discount unlawful killing but there is no evidence to put before this inquest or a criminal court," he said.

"As we go on in life we discover that, unfortunately, there is not always an answer to every question.

"This is one of those things that we will never be able to explain fully."

Nobody had been found who had admitted seeing Mr Westhead alive since November 16 last year, the hearing was told.

Mr Westhead had been diagnosed manic depressive and had received psychiatric treatment as an inpatient, an outpatient and through medication.

His GP, Dr Angela Parry, said he could become extremely withdrawn.

Friends of the dead man told how in the months leading up to his disappearance he had stayed at various addresses in Accrington.

He rarely went to his flat in Hereford Road, Blackburn, which he said had been burgled on numerous occasions.

The body was found by the wall of the railway bridge where it crosses Blackburn Road, Church.

It had been identified by finger and palm print samples.

The body was partially covered with leaves, twigs and soil.

There were empty food and drink containers and human excrement in bags and DC Lockhead said the area looked as though someone had been living in it.

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