Accountant, 44, found dead in hotel bath surrounded by bottles
An accountant was found dead surrounded by empty vodka bottles in the bathroom of a Black Country hotel, an inquest was told.
The alcohol concentration in David Birley's blood was nearly four times the drink-drive limit, a coroner said.
Senior Black Country coroner Zafar Siddique said 44-year-old Mr Birley was found in his bath at the Best Inn Birmingham Hotel in Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury, after staff became concerned about his welfare.
Mr Siddique told the inquest at Smethwick Council House that Mr Birley, of Tulworth Road, Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire, initially booked into the hotel for four nights on July 24, but extended his stay.
"The manager of the hotel said he kept himself to himself, occasionally venturing out to the shops or to eat in local restaurants," he said.
Mr Siddique said on August 1, Mr Birley told staff he had been to hospital and asked not to be disturbed.
He added that by August 4 staff had become concerned about his welfare, and entered his room using a pass key.
"He ways found lying in the bath," said Mr Siddique.
"The room was littered with vodka bottles, including some inside the bath, and there were signs of vomiting also."
An ambulance was called and Mr Birley was pronounced dead at 12.15pm.
The coroner said Mr Birley had last seen his GP on April 10, and his doctor was concerned about his drinking.
"The GP was also concerned about signs of self-neglect," said Mr Siddique.
He added that Mr Birley had a problem with drinking going back to 2007.
The coroner said a toxicologist's report found he had an alcohol concentration of 376mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. The drink-drive limit is 80mg.
Mr Siddique said he was satisfied that Mr Birley's death was due to alchohol intoxication, and recorded an alcohol-related death.
