A dad-of-two was found dead alongside a couple after taking a cocktail of drugs in Oldham, an inquest heard.
Andrew Smith was discovered inside the bedroom a property in Failsworth on December 28.
The bodies of Zoe Hamilton, 28, and James Acton, 41, were also found nearby.
The group were discovered by a concerned family member who called at the flat to check on them.
Mr Smith, 39, was homeless and struggled with drug addiction at the time of his death.
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His mental health spiralled after witnessing the murder of his best friend several years earlier.
An inquest into his death was opened at Rochdale Coroner’s Court on Tuesday (March 1).
It heard how Mr Smith had been allowed to stay with the couple at their home on Oldham Road over the Christmas period.
A next-door neighbour last saw Zoe Hamilton on Boxing Day when she visited her home for a drink.
Ms Hamilton revealed she was pregnant and spoke of her concerns over her boyfriend James Acton, who had been arrested a few days earlier.
She was worried her baby would be taken away from her.
During the visit, the neighbour observed Ms Hamilton drinking alcohol and taking tablets.
These were later discovered to be ‘pregabalin’ capsules, purchased earlier from Cheetham Hill.
The inquest heard how Ms Hamilton was known to take drugs including heroin and methadone but had recently “cut back”.
In a statement read out in court, the neighbour said she returned home at around 2.30am, leaving Zoe on her own.
It was the last time she would ever see her alive.
Over the next few days, the neighbour noticed she couldn’t hear Ms Hamilton speaking or moving through the thin flat walls.
She told the court this sparked concern.
On December 28, Ms Hamilton’s sister knocked at the neighbour’s door.
She asked her if she had heard from her sister, who she had not spoken to since Christmas.
When the neighbour said she had not seen Ms Hamilton since she saw her on Boxing Day, they decided to break into her home.
Once the neighbour got inside the address, she was hit by a “horrible” smell.
She told the court the quiet home “didn’t feel right”.
She walked into an upstairs bedroom and discovered a horrific scene.
A man – who was later identified as Mr Smith – was lying inside a sleeping bag on the floor.
On a nearby bed, there was a blanket covering two people.
When the neighbour pulled the blanket away, underneath she discovered Ms Hamilton and Mr Acton.
She shouted at Ms Hamilton telling her everyone had been looking for her.
When she didn’t respond, the neighbour realised she was dead.
Emergency services were called and police and paramedics quickly descended on the scene.
A toxicology report found Mr Smith had a number of drugs in his system at the time of his death.
These included pregabalin, diazepam, heroin, methadone, cocaine, amphetamine and a low amount of alcohol.
However, the analysis could not conclude if the drugs were taken at similar times or spread out over a number of days.
Speaking at the inquest, his brother, Robert Smith, described him as a “cheeky chappy” who was outgoing, popular and had many friends.
He was born and raised in Oldham and had previously worked as a plasterer.
His issues with addiction were sparked by a traumatic incident in his younger years.
He had previously been involved in an attack which saw his best friend murdered.
Though he was never formally diagnosed with PTSD, his family say the tragedy had a significant effect on him.
Mr Smith often blamed himself for what happened and would wake up having night terrors.
His family say this period was the “real starting point” for his spiralling mental health.
Mr Smith began using drugs and eventually found himself homeless on the streets of Manchester.
His family last saw him on December 23 when he visited his mother’s home.
His brother Robert was at work when he heard three bodies had been discovered in Oldham.
Colleagues were discussing the incident and it had been broadcast on local radio.
But it would take seven hours for the family to be told one of the bodies found was Mr Smith.
Giving evidence at the inquest, GMP detective inspector Rachel Smith said a number of tests were carried out the scene.
These included carbon monoxide poisoning and an investigation into a possible suicide pact.
Both of these theories were ruled out.
However, police believe the diazepam tablets found at the scene may have been illicit.
Mr Smith's cause of death was found to be polydrug toxicity (combined drug toxicity) and pulmonary tuberculosis.
Before concluding the inquest, coroner Lisa Judge said: "Andrew Smith was loved so very much by all his family.
"What is clear from the evidence I've heard is that there was one very significant event.
"The tragic murder of his greatest friend was witnessed by him and his brother.
"The impact of that terrible event caused Andrew to become entrenched in long-term drug abuse.
"His family, longing him to beat his habit, not only provided him with physical and financial assistance but emotional support.
"The continuing of his drug use caused his lifestyle to become chaotic."
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News previously, Mr Smith’s partner, Michelle Fleming, described him as the 'best bloke you could ever meet' who would 'do anything for anyone'.
The 38-year-old, who is the mother of Andrew's youngest daughter, said: "You couldn't meet a nicer person.
"He was just the best bloke you could ever meet.
"He was very well-known in Failsworth and everyone that knew him wouldn't have a bad word to say about him.
"He was always really polite and well mannered.
"He would also do anything for anyone. If you needed it he would give you his last penny.
"The last few months he had fallen on hard times but he was getting his life back on track.
"We're all just absolutely devastated."
