A MAN may have been killed at a guest house in Thailand, an inquest has been told.

Mystery surrounds the death of Stephen Harris.

Mr Harris, aged 46, who had been resident in Thailand for a number of years, was found dead at Monticarlo Guest House in Tamboa Patong, Amphur Katu, Phuket on October 29 last year.

An inquest into the unemployed English teacher's death, whose family live in Kidderminster - was held in Stourport-on-Severn yesterday.

Worcestershire coroner Victor Round said Mr Harris, also of Kidderminster, was last seen alive on October 26 last year and his body was found by the owner of the guest-house after he became suspicious because he had not seen him for some time.

Speaking at the inquest, Home Office pathologist Dr Eddie Tapp said there had been a considerable delay between the time his body was found and when the Thai authorities carried out an autopsy.

He also questioned the standard of the autopsy and added he had carried out his own post mortem examination and could find no material cause of natural death.

However, he said he could find no evidence he had been killed unlawfully and said the cause of death was not ascertained.

But, also speaking at the inquest, his sister Angela Farmer said she was adamant that he had been murdered as the keys to his room and bank cards had been stolen.

"Why would a healthy man just die?" she added.

Dr Tapp concluded it could not be ruled out that he may have been killed but there was no evidence to back it up.

Mr Round recorded an open verdict.