TWO people whose decomposed bodies were found in a Boscombe flat died of natural causes, an inquest heard.

Ann-Marie Peril, 32, is believed to have died several weeks before her 49-year-old partner, Robert McDade. Post mortem examinations revealed both died of liver disease and District Coroner Sheriff Payne recorded verdicts of death from natural causes.

Both suffered from alcoholism.

Their first-floor flat in Ashley Road was initially declared a crime scene because of the unusual circumstances of their deaths. But Det Insp Neil Phillips of Dorset Police told the Bournemouth inquest: “I do not believe there was a third party involved.”

The inquest heard Mr McDade, a welder, told a shopkeeper his partner had died on March 19.

Their bodies were discovered on April 28 after a concerned neighbour contacted their landlord.