PENSIONER Thomas Lamin drowned in his daughter's garden pond six months after suffering a stroke, an inquest heard.

Mr Lamin, 69, of Hawridge Road, Hawridge, Chesham, was found dead on March 15.

His daughter Jill Lamin, of the same address, told the High Wycombe inquest on Wednesday her father had a stroke and an operation in Nottingham last year and then came to live with her.

The inquest heard Mr Lamin's speech and coordination were affected and he went walking daily to try to improve.

Mrs Lamin said he was determined to recover and never mentioned suicide.

She came home, saw him lying dead in her pond, and dialled 999.

She said he showed no signs of depression and talked of the future, although at times he was disappointed with his recovery progress.

Mrs Lamin told the inquest she did not believe her father had tripped and fallen into the pond. She said that, since his death, she had heard from a relative he had once mentioned euthanasia as he did not want to be a burden on his family.

Pathologist Dr Michael Turner said a post-mortem examination showed that Mr Lamin drowned.

Tom Grace, assistant deputy coroner for Buckinghamshire, said: "I'm not entirely satisfied that it was suicide. It's not clear. He may have tripped."

He recorded an open verdict.

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