An investigation has been launched following the unexplained death of a 34-year-old man whose body was discovered in his Hornchurch flat earlier this year.
Zilvinas Mockus was found unresponsive in the living room of his home on High Street on January 2, prompting an inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The inquest was formally opened on Tuesday, March 11, at East London Coroner’s Court in Walthamstow, overseen by coroner Nadia Persaud.
Coroner’s officer Jean Smyth told the court that Mr Mockus’s ex-partner, carer, and building manager forced entry to the property after becoming concerned over a lack of contact. Paramedics were called to the scene, but Mr Mockus was pronounced dead on arrival.
Although a post-mortem examination was carried out, the pathologist concluded that the cause of death remains unascertained, leading the coroner to deem the death as requiring a full inquest.
Mr Mockus, who was Lithuanian, was identified at the scene by police using a passport photo and a custody image.
“This death occurred in circumstances requiring an inquest,” said Coroner Persaud, highlighting the need to explore whether the death was natural, accidental, or preventable.
She declared Mr Mockus’s family as “interested persons”, granting them legal rights to access evidence and question witnesses during the inquest process.
The coroner also requested further background information from the family, including details about Mr Mockus’s family life, occupation, physical and mental health history, and their last contact with him. She asked the family to share any specific concerns they may have regarding his death.
In addition, Coroner Persaud ordered the disclosure of key evidence from public services, including:
- Statements from police officers who attended the scene
- Records from the London Ambulance Service
- GP medical records
- Any documentation from mental health or secondary care services
Authorities have confirmed that the death is not currently being treated as suspicious, but the full facts will be explored during the inquest process.
A final inquest hearing has been provisionally scheduled for August 15, 2025.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials continue to gather information in the hope of uncovering the truth behind Mr Mockus’s sudden and unexplained death.
