An inquest has opened into the death of a man at the centre of a murder investigation.

Ian Jupe, of Mountain Ash Close, Harefield, died on May 28.

An inquest into his death opened at Winchester Coroners' Court yesterday (June 25). 

READ MORE: Inquest opens after Southampton man dies in fall

The inquest heard that the 58-year-old was found lying on his bed and his body was bruised. 

Pathologist Dr Basil Purdue carried out a post mortem, which gave an initial cause of death as neck compression.

Area coroner Jason Pegg gave a provisional inquest date of July 9 next year.

But he suspended the coronial investigation due to Tom Alexander Ellison, 35, of Mountain Ash Close, Southampton, being charged with murder and theft.

According to Southampton Crown Court, Ellison is next due to appear there for a pre-trial preparation hearing on July 4.

A trial date has been set for November 11.