A jury will be called as part of an inquest into the death of a Saxmundhan man in February.

On Friday, an inquest into the death of Darren Downie was formally opened at Suffolk Coroners’ Court in Ipswich.

Mr Downie died on February 23 earlier this year, aged 53.

The court heard that the police received a phone call from staff at Foxhall House on February 13, reporting Mr Downie missing.

Foxhall House was formerly part of St Clements Hospital and treats male patients.

Staff explained to the police that Mr Downie was a "section three patient", meaning that he was at the facility under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act. He had been granted leave from the hospital but had failed to return at the agreed time.

Several calls were made between the police, staff at Foxhall House and Mr Downie himself over the next seven days, but he did not return to the centre.

The court heard that on February 20, Mr Downie contacted Foxhall House to say that he had taken a “significant amount” of a prescribe medication. Staff reported that his words sounded “slurred”.

Staff called an ambulance, who alerted police. Access was gained to Mr Downie’s home, and he was taken to Ipswich Hospital.

On February 21, Mr Downie was transferred to the hospital’s Critical Care unit, where he remained until his death on February 23.

The presiding coroner, Darren Stewart OBE, explained that this inquest will require a jury.

A jury is required if the deceased person was in some form of state detention, and their death is considered unnatural, or the cause is unknown.

Mr Stewart said that this inquest will likely take place towards the middle of 2025.