A parachute jumping instructor who was known to have problems with alcohol died suddenly at his home in South Oxhey.

An inquest heard that Edward "Eddie" Norris was found dead by his friend and housemate on April 21.

Lynn Norris, the deceased’s sister, said she was "puzzled" that the post mortem report showed no signs of significant liver damage or that his death was caused by excessive drinking.

She said: "He was known to drink a lot and for that not to show up, that’s what is puzzling me."

Mr Norris’s friend, Paul Taylor, called the emergency services after he found the 52-year-old at the front door of their shared home, in Otley Way, at 2.33pm. Mr Norris was pronounced dead by paramedic, Gareth Robarts, who said he saw no obvious injuries to the body.

In evidence heard by the inquest, Mr Taylor said Mr Norris was "not looking well" on the morning of April 21 and was shaking and asking for alcohol.

Police officers carried out investigations but said they found no sign of a struggle or that there was any third party involvement.

The post mortem report also stated that there was no sign of injury to the body, he appeared to be well nourished and there were no issues with any of the vital organs. The report said the cause of death was acute cardiac failure. There was nothing to suggest that alcoholism had anything to do with the sudden death.

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Norris said of her brother: "I’m just thankful it was quick. He was a parachute jumping instructor in America and only came back to England when our mum got cancer.

"Our mum died and then our dad died two years later. He really wanted to go back out to America but he was never able to. Half of his ashes have been scattered in Devon where he did his first jump, and the other half will be with our parents."