The brother of former Everton star Phil Jagielka was found dead at his home earlier this year.
Steve Jagielka, brother of former Everton star Phil Jagielka, was found dead in March.
An inquest today heard the circumstances in which his body was found, leading coroner John Ellery to conclude: “There is no suggestion that his death was deliberate.”
Mr Jagielka had enjoyed his own career in football, becoming a fan favorite at Shrewsbury Town, where he played more than 200 times.
The midfielder, who started his career at Stoke City, also had stints at Sheffield United and Accrington Stanley.
The 43-year-old was found dead at his Shropshire home on March 15 after emergency services were called when he was found unresponsive, reports BirminghamLive.
His inquest, held in Shrewsbury, today heard that PC Dawn Tigwell, of West Mercia Police, responded to the call and attended the house in Rodington, a village between Shrewsbury and Telford.
In a statement, she said they received a call from William Martin, who said his neighbour’s cousin Lee Roberts had gone into the house and discovered the deceased neighbour, Mr Jagielka. She added: “Upon arrival at the property, we were met by the neighbour, Martin, who had with him an English Bull Dog. “Martin explained that his neighbour’s cousin, Lee Roberts, was very distraught having been the first to see Jagielka and was currently in his kitchen.”
Mr Jagielka and Mr Roberts had returned to the property on March 12 to pack up items and went out for food and drink before Mr Jagielka visited a friend “picking up some cocaine” leaving Mr Roberts in the car.
The inquest heard that on March 15, Mr Roberts used his cousin’s vehicle to load up a number of items, leaving around 10am to head back to Manchester.
When he left, Mr Jagielka was on the sofa and Mr Roberts described him as being quite groggy as if he had been “on a session” but was still coherent and answering his questions.
When Mr Roberts arrived back at about 9pm he saw Mr Jagielka “slumped on the floor”, PC Tigwell added.
Because of this, he quickly exited the house and ran to the next door neighbour.
PC Tigwell used Mr Roberts’ key to enter the house and found Mr Jagielka “half on a footstool” with his “legs stretched out in front of the doorway”.
The PC searched the house and found what looked to be a residue of a white powder alongside a rolled-up piece of paper on a sideboard in a bedroom.
Mr Ellery said Mr Jagielka’s cause of death was aspiration pneumonia caused by methadone toxicity.
He added: “There were reports of possible cocaine use in the days prior to his death.
“Toxicity assessment revealed high levels of methadone and moderate levels of cocaine.
“There is no suggestion that his death was deliberate.
“I record a conclusion that his death was drug related.”
Mr Jagielka’s former clubs paid touching tributes following his death.
Shrewsbury Town chairman Roland Wycherley said: “We were all shocked and saddened by the news of Steve’s passing. I have nothing but fond memories of his time at Shrewsbury. He gave his all every time he stepped on the pitch and that’s all we can ask for at Shrewsbury Town.”
