Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Grange Hill actor Terry Sue-Patt’s decomposed body 'had to be identified from pictures on his wall', inquest hears

Inquest could not determine cause of death 

Heather Saul
Monday 12 October 2015 18:36 BST
Comments
Terry Sue-Patt was found dead his home earlier this year
Terry Sue-Patt was found dead his home earlier this year (Rex)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The decomposed body of a former Grange Hill actor had to be identified from photographs on his wall, an inquest has heard.

Terry Sue-Patt was found lying face-down in his home in Walthamstow, north-east London in May this year. The 50-year-old was the first child seen on the children’s TV programme, where he played the character of Benny Green. He had a number of acting roles after Grange Hill and became an artist later in life.

A concerned neighbour contacted police after failing to contact him for weeks, who forced entry into his home and found his body in the bedroom, the Walthamstow Guardian reports.

Sue-Patt’s father Alston said he had struggled with an alcohol addiction after the death of his brother Michael in a car crash in 1989.

Waltham Forest Coroners’ Court heard a post mortem was unable to determine the cause of death “due to the extent of post mortem changes”.

In a statement read by Coroner Miss Nadia Persaud, his family said Sue-Patt “became gripped by a depression he never fully recovered from”.

“Terry’s successful and eventful life was tragically cut short. He was our cherished son, brother, uncle and friend and will be sadly missed.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in