Tributes paid to talented Hucknall musician who died at the tragically young age of 44
Tributes have been paid to a talented Hucknall musician who died at the tragically young age of 44, an inquest has heard.
Dan Forest, formerly known as Daniel Hickman, was found in an upstairs bedroom at his home on Beardall Street by his neighbour on the evening of April 5, said Helena Gallagher, assistant coroner of Nottinghamshire.
His neighbour began CPR and called East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) who pronounced him dead.
The inquest heard there were numerous wine bottles in the room, as well as medication including Neproxen, Rennie's, Phenergan, Alistat, and ibuprofen.
PC Hannah Nolan, who is based at Hucknall Police Station, attended the scene and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.
She said Mr Forest’s friends had a group chat called Danwatch to keep an eye on him when he was in drink.
The night before his neighbour had put him to bed, she said, and Mr Forest’s sister and father had been trying to get in touch with him.
The inquest heard Mr Forest attended the Queen’s Medical Centre on April 3 complaining of abdominal pain but discharged himself before he was seen.
A post mortem found the cause of his death was alcohol toxicity with fatty liver as a contributory factor.
He had a medical history of alcohol abuse for three years and his blood-alcohol levels were found to be 360 micrograms per decilitre, with fatalities being recorded at 300 micrograms.
The inquest heard that he would drink wine to excess after separating from his partner three years ago, but he also went for long periods without drinking alcohol at all.
After recording a conclusion of alcohol-related death, Ms Gallagher expressed her sincere condolences to Mr Forest’s family and friends.
“I can tell from everyone here today how much he was loved and how much he is missed,” she said on Thursday.
Speaking afterwards, friend Dawn Moorhouse described him as “the kindest, gentlest ally to everyone.”
"He was an extremely talented musician, coder, animator and Morris dancer,” she said.
"He was the best friend I ever had,” said his friend Sean Roland. “I don’t think there was a musical instrument he couldn’t play.”