Tragic Slough dad died of natural causes in Copthorne Hotel

Keith Folly, of Nicholas Gardens, Slough, was found on the floor of Room 237 of the Copthorne Hotel in November last year after suffering a pulmonary edema, due to excessive alcohol and antihistamine medication in his system.

The 40-year-old father-of-three was discovered by housekeeping staff, with grazes on his forehead and two bottles of whisky on the bedside table.

An inquest at Reading Town Hall on Thursday, May 4, heard how the breakdown of a 14-year relationship with his former partner Victoria had hit him hard.

His mother Margaret Folly said: “Keith was a loving son. He was always thinking of games to play with his nieces and nephews. He was a loving father to his three children, who he loved and cherished. He was a proud dad who always provided for his family. He had grown into such a great father and we all loved him.”

The former postman and social events organiser was prescribed mild anti-depressant medication after suffering from panic attacks following the end of his relationship in June.

Police and paramedics were called to the hotel in Cippenham Lane and discovered a graze on his forehead above his eye.

The toxicology report found a number of antihistamines in his system, along with chloroquine, which is used to treat malaria.

It is believed he spent the evening of November 15 drinking in the hotel bar and he was found with 95mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, with the drink-driving limit at 80mg.

A bottle of whisky found in his room was almost entirely empty and Emma Jones, assistant coroner for Berkshire, recorded a verdict of natural causes.

She added: “I am satisfied Mr Folly suffered a pulmonary edema due to the excessive fluid in his lungs. It will have caused the nervous system to shut down. The level of alcohol and antihistamine medication makes it likely that death occurred due to an overdose, although an unintentional one.”