An inquest has been opened into the death of a homeless man found in a Manchester car park. Michael Heaton was found 'unresponsive' by a member of the public on New Wakefield Street in Manchester on Tuesday December 30, 2025.
Inquest hearing details
An inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death was opened at Coroner's Office in Manchester on Tuesday (August 11). A brief hearing was presided over by senior coroner of the Manchester City area, Zak Golombeck.
Mr Golombeck confirmed that Mr Heaton died December 30, 2025 at the address of New Wakefield Street, Manchester. He confirmed Mr Heaton's date of birth as March 17, 1999 and also confirmed Mr Heaton's next of kin as his brother, Nathen French.
Discovery and investigation
The court heard how, on December 30, Mr Heaton was discovered 'unresponsive' by a member of the public in a car park. The member of the public attempted CPR on Mr Heaton but he was pronounced 'deceased' by ambulance services who were called to the scene.
Greater Manchester Police also attended and following an investigation, found there to be no suspicious circumstances or evidence of third-party involvement in Mr Heaton's death.
Cause of death and next steps
Following a post-mortem examination sent to the coroners' office, Mr Golombeck recorded Mr Heaton's cause of death as 'multiple drug toxicity'. The examination found traces of 'nitazenes, synthetic cannabis, heroin and cocaine' in Mr Heaton's system.
A date for the full inquest is yet to be fixed. Mr Golombeck has requested for more evidence from the Greater Manchester Police and NHS mental health services. It is understood that Mr Heaton had been under their care before he was discharged from a mental health hospital on 12 December 2025.
