AN OPEN conclusion was reached during an inquest into the death of an Isle of Wight man found floating in the Solent. 

The body of Jason Colin Rawlins was found by Browndown Battery, off Stokes Bay Road in Gosport, on March 11, 2021.

No internal or external injuries were noted, and the findings were consistent with a death due to drowning. 

The court heard how police had attended the 51-year-old's home address on Terminus Road, in Cowes, following the discovery, and it had been left insecure. 

His home was described as being in poor condition, with a significant amount of unopened mail, medication, and empty alcohol bottles.

Coroner, Caroline Sumeray, described Mr Rawlins as a man who had a significant mental health history, and was being prescribed medication usually for schizophrenics.

She said she could not be satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that it was a suicide. 

Mrs Sumeray said there was no evidence of intention, and she could not speculate on how he came to be in the water, or what had happened before. 

An open conclusion was reached, and Mrs Sumeray offered her sincere condolences to his family.