An investigation has been opened after a man was found dead in a Walthamstow block of flats with multiple opioid painkillers in his system.

Hakim Kherroubi, 52, was identified by police and a friend after being found dead at his home in the Rally Building in Track Street on July 3.

Toxicology tests found cocaine in his system, alongside “a very high level of tramadol,” said Graeme Irvine, senior coroner for east London, in court today (September 12).

The amount of tramadol – a strong opioid painkiller – was “slightly under what would normally be described as a fatal dose, but nonetheless very high indeed,” Mr Irvine added.

Another opioid painkiller called tapentadol was also found in Mr Kherroubi’s system, alongside other drugs and a low concentration of alcohol (below the legal driving limit), the court heard.

While none of the drugs on its own was thought to have been concentrated enough to kill Mr Kherroubi, a pathologist determined that the combination had proved fatal.

An initial post-mortem examination on July 9 failed to find any cause of death.

But after toxicology results came back, the pathologist said Mr Kherroubi had died from acute cardiorespiratory failure due to mixed drug toxicity.

Mr Irvine opened an inquest at East London Coroner’s Court in Walthamstow, a ten-minute walk from the deceased’s place of death, on Thursday (September 12).

He declared Mr Kherroubi’s next of kin an interested party in the proceedings – meaning they will have the right to interrogate evidence and question witnesses – and asked them to provide a background statement about Mr Kherroubi’s life, health and relationship with drugs.

He also ordered disclosure of statements by attending police officers and paramedics, Mr Kherroubi’s most recent GP records and information held by “any drug or alcohol agency” he may have been receiving support from.

Mr Irvine said Mr Kherroubi’s inquest would be held on March 13, 2025.