The mother of a man who died in Bolton has said “someone has got away with murder” as a coroner was unable to determine how he died.

David Jones died in July 2021 after being found deceased in the communal shower room of a property on Bradford Street in the town.

Police initially thought his death was drug related but later that month launched a murder enquiry as his body bore marks of an assault.

He had been arrested multiple times in the 10 days before his death, including after an incident at the O2 store in Bolton the day before but was de-arrested after this.

Concerns were raised by his mother that he had sustained injuries in custody at Bury Custody Suite, but an investigation by police showed he had no injuries when he left to go to court but had obtained them by the time he was arrested again the next day.

A gap of 11 hours before his death could not be accounted for.

Pathologist Philip Lumb said it was a “difficult case".

He said he had died from hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy where the brain is starved of oxygen and blood.

Mr Lumb said the most likely cause was a combination of heroin and diazepam but could not rule out third party involvement as he had suffered injuries to the head and neck.

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola McCulloch, from the Major Investigation Team at Greater Manchester Police, confirmed a murder investigation had been launched into the death.

She said once Dr Lumb had provided two potential causes of death her team became involved 11 days later.

She said two people were arrested over possibly manslaughter charges but were released and are no longer under investigation.

The police officer said the investigation was now closed.

She said: “It is not possible to exclude third party involvement.

“There is not enough evidence to provide there is third party involvement unfortunately.”

The inquest heard Jones, who lived on Hardy Mill Road, Bolton, had attended Bolton School and been an England wide biathlon champion when he was younger.

He had gone to university to study computer technology but had become dependent on drugs later on.

Mother Sylvia Jones said: “He was a lovely son and is very sadly missed.”

She also told the court: “I feel that somebody has got away with murder.”

Coroner Simon Nelson said the death was caused by hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy with an undetermined cause.

He recorded an open conclusion.

Mr Nelson said: "He was discovered unresponsive in a communal shower room on Bradford Street at approximately 10.30am on July 10 2021, the fact of his death was confirmed at 10.38am that day.

“Subsequent examinations found illicit heroin at a concentration that might be capable of causing death.

“Evidence and investigation was unable to rule out third party involvement of one more unlawful criminally suspicious acts which may more than minimally have contributed to death.”