Inquest opened into the death of two young men who died in Newark

An inquest has opened into the death of two young men, who died suddenly less than 24 hours apart in the same town.

Stuart James Hill, known as Stewie, aged 23, and David Dickson, 24, both died within a short space of time in Newark last year, and the authorities are looking at their cases together as the deaths could be linked.

A pre-inquest review in March said the deaths were ‘sudden’ and ‘unexpected’ but was suspended while Nottinghamshire Police continued its investigation.

Today (October 17), the inquest reopened at Nottingham City Council where witnesses, toxicology and genetic tests, potential further tests and family requests were heard.

The two men died in the same house where four people lived but had no personal connection with each other.

The inquests to establish the cause of their deaths will be linked together though due to the overlap in evidence.

Nottinghamshire Police contacted an independent body to see if any further investigation was needed but it agreed with the investigation led by the police.

Mr Hill’s parents who were present at the inquest represented by a solicitor, asked for further tests to be conducted into substances, described as a ‘white powder’ found in their son’s room.

Coroner Laurinda Bower said that she would contact the toxicology unit in Leicester for further information and a clearer report of what has been done up until now, and what could be done further to give the parents some reassurance that all the appropriate tests had been carried out.

Considering the circumstances of both Mr Hill and Mr Dickson’s deaths were unusual, the Hill family requested that further lines of enquiry and testing should be pursued.

A final death certificate will be issued separately for each man with no reference to the other person.

The final bundle of evidence will be gathered by November 1 for when the inquest resumes.

The inquest continues.