A waiter may have been dead for close to a week before his body was found above a fish and chip shop.

Neighbours in Paolo Corona's bedsit in Queen Street, Gravesend became concerned by a smell coming from his room, an inquest heard today.

The waiter's body was found "in a state of decomposition," at around 5am on September 1 and paramedics were called.

Paramedics called for police assistance after discovering drug paraphernalia next to Mr Corona's body.

A police report filed by Det Sgt Neil Martin revealed the neighbour was "too distressed" to re-enter Mr Corona's bedsit in Queen Street, Gravesend, after making the discovery.

Judging by receipts found in his home, police decided Mr Corona was last seen on August 26.

He was supposed to work a shift at Tapas Revolution in Bluewater that day, but did not show.

A needle and bag of heroin found next to Mr Corona led police to conclude the death was drug related.

The 36-year-old, who was born in Gemona del Friuli in north east Italy, was found to have alcohol, cocaine, and heroin in his system, along with THC, one of the active components of cannabis.

Dr Anna Rycroft said Mr Corona's "widespread, extensive decomposition," made it impossible to take readings of the amount of each drug in his system.

Coroner Roger Hatch said: "Having regard to evidence from the officer I propose to record that the death of Paolo Corona was drug related."

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