Disabled Mansfield man died in hospital aged 55 after long history of poor mental health and drug misuse
A disabled Mansfield man died in hospital at the age of just 55 following a long history of poor mental health and drug misuse, an inquest has heard.
Martin Anthony Casey was found unconscious by his carers and taken to King’s Mill Hospital where he passed away on April 13 2025, said Helena Gallagher, assistant coroner of Nottinghamshire.
The inquest heard he was paralysed from the chest down after a motorcycle accident when he was 17-years-old.
A post mortem revealed the cause of death as very high dihydrocodeine levels with evidence of cocaine abuse, which can cause cardiac damage, and sepsis from multiple infected pressure sores.
Ms Gallagher said his GP raised concerns that he was "picking and choosing" his medication.
Mr Casey was referred to Change Grow Live, a health and social care charity, in 2024 and had been living at Stone Cross Court, a sheltered housing complex in Mansfield.
The inquest heard he was using opiates and crack cocaine and was offered regular harm reduction advice. Ambulances were regularly called out by him and he had been admitted to hospital when he was unconscious.
A homeless mental health team practitioner said Mr Casey was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
The inquest heard he experienced guilt and shame because he felt responsible for the accident which left him wheelchair bound, and he attempted to take his own life in 2020.
He was hospitalised following an overdose in February 2025, and his carers were concerned he was vulnerable to others entering his room and financially exploitating him.
Mr Casey’s daughter Siobhán described him a "a lovable rogue" with "so much good to him."
"He was a great grandad and and dad," she said. "I tried so hard with him. I know he is peaceful now. He is loved and missed.
“People with addictions can still be loved. Mental health and addiction are a lethal combination. People make assumptions about drugs users. They are still someone’s dad and brother."
She said the drug and mental health services should have worked together as opportunities were missed to help her father.
Mr Casey’s partner of 33 years left him in 2019 and this contributed to his isolation and social stress, the inquest heard on Thursday, July 23.
He suffered from a long history of poor mental health and reported suicidal thoughts and hallucinations.
Recording a conclusion of drug-related death, Ms Gallagher expressed her sincere condolences to Mr Casey’s family and said: “I can tell how much he meant to you.”