MARQUESS WAS KILLED BY YEARS OF DRUG ABUSE

THE body of the Marquess of Bristol was released for burial yesterday
after scientific tests found that he died from multiple organ failure
caused by years of chronic drug abuse.

Lord Bristol, who was said to have spent UKP7 million on drugs in 10
years, died at his home, Little Horringer Hall, on the Ickworth estate
in Suffolk, on Jan 10. He was 44. An initial post-mortem examination
failed to find the cause of death.

Bill Walrond, the West Suffolk Coroner, said yesterday that further
tests showed Lord Bristol died from drug abuse over a long period. He
said: "It is not an overdose which would be described as acute drug
abuse." The coroner said there was nothing in the report to suggest
Lord Bristol had Aids. He was a registered drug addict and had served
two prison sentences for possession of drugs.

His agent, Simon Pott, said it had been a "tragedy" watching the
Marquess "try everything and anything" to beat his addiction. Lord
Bristol, an Old Harrovian, was worth UKP21 million at 21. The heir to
his title is Lord Frederick Hervey, 19, a student at Edinburgh University.