Man, 27, dies in ‘heavily mould-infested home’ – as cops launch probe over link between filthy house and death
A POLICE probe has been launched after a man died while living in what has been described as a “heavily mould-infested home”.
Luke Brooks, 27, was a “fit lad” who tragically died after telling his family he was having trouble breathing.
The cops and coroner are now probing whether the filthy Manchester house he was living in is linked to his death.
The Manchester Evening News reported Luke’s post mortem showed he had a form of pneumonia which could be brought on by “heavily mould-infested accommodation”.
This led to an acute respiratory distress syndrome, which could have ultimately lead to the 27-year-old’s death.
Luke was living with his family in a property they rented from a private landlord.
They had been living there for eight years before the 27-year-old became unwell.
Police said Luke was said to have complained about having “difficulty” breathing, before saying he felt “weak” and developed a rash.
The court heard Luke tried to get an appointment with his GP before eventually turning to the NHS‘ 111 service.
He was told it was thought he had a “viral infection” and to take ibuprofen.
However, Luke tragically had a “fit in his bed” before he stopped breathing.
Paramedics rushed to his home in Oldham on that day in October last year, but he was pronounced dead.
Senior coroner Joanne Kearsley opened an inquest into Luke’s death – stressing the cause was “provisional”.
His parents made a number of complaints about the property being in a state of “disrepair”, the court heard.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed a force probe is ongoing.
Detective Inspector Judith Holmes told Ms Kearsley the landlord, who was not named in court, would be “spoken to as part of this investigation”.
The post mortem said there is a type of mould that could be linked to the pneumonia Luke suffered before his death.
‘MOULD GROWTH’
A microbiologist inspected the property and checked for that type, known as aspergillus.
Paul Lever, police coroners’ officer at GMP, told the court: “Luke resided with his parents.
“He spent a lot of time in his room playing video games and left the house on a few occasions.”
Ms Holmes told the court about a visit to the property by Detective Inspector Andrew Fink and Oldham Council environmental health officials on November 1.
She said: “The photos obtained by the council in respect of the home… there had been some cleaning done in the property between October 25 and the visit on November 1, Luke’s room had actually been cleaned at that point.
“There was a small patch of mould growth above a radiator. They had already cleaned the internal walls of Luke’s room, however it was untidy at that time. There were animals present during the visit.
“Oldham Council visited the address in response to the family making complaints to the local authority.”
‘NICEST LAD YOU COULD MEET’
Ms Holmes said the landlord had previously been asked to make improvements and carry out repairs, but, she said: “It was disrepair to the property as opposed to any mould in the property.”
The officer said “no formal issues” were noted by environmental health officers at the time, but further police investigation followed.
She said: “As a result of the investigation that’s conducted, there will be further examination, we have commissioned a microbiologist following the result of the post-mortem.”
Ms Holmes added: “At this moment in time, the investigation is looking at whether criminal offences may have been committed and also what opportunities the council may have had as well.
“But at this moment in time they are still keeping an open mind.”
Following the hearing, Luke’s dad James said: “Luke was a fantastic lad. He was a fit lad, he wasn’t unfit. He was the nicest lad you could meet.
“He was a lovely human being. I was lucky to get 27 years with him. He never gave us any trouble. He was a good artist, he couple play the guitar and the piano, he was very talented.”
Mum, Patricia, added: “He had a brilliant heart, he was funny. He was a wind-up merchant. He had the patience of a saint, our Luke.
“He took over the cooking, he looked after me and James. He wouldn’t leave our side. He was our angel, he was the spark in this house. He was the light.”