A 76-year-old man's body was found six to eights weeks after he died at his home in Rickmansworth, an inquest heard.
The body of Michael Evatt, of Clarkfield, Mill End was found on February 15 after police officers, who were out on patrol, were alerted to an incident around 9.30am.
Officers had to force entry into Mr Evatt's home, where they found him dressed in his bed. His body had already begun to decompose.
As a result the pathologist was unable to ascertain the cause of death.
The coroner, Edward Thomas, therefore recorded it as a open verdict.
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