Father of Meredith Kercher was found in street near home before dying from ...

Father of Meredith Kercher was found in street near home before dying from ...
Father of Meredith Kercher was found in street near home before dying from ...

The father of murdered British student Meredith Kercher collapsed in mysterious circumstances close to his south London home before dying in hospital, an inquest has heard.

John Kercher, 77, was found with injuries to his arm, ankle, face and ribs in Windmill Road, Croydon, on January 13, 2020.

He was rushed to hospital, but had no recollection of what had taken place and died from pneumonia on February 1. 

An inquest at South London Coroner's Court on Thursday heard how police have been unable to establish whether he fell or was the victim of a possible hit and run. 

Jonathan Kercher pictured near his Croydon home. Police have been unable to establish the circumstances around his death after he was found collapsed in the street on a wet and windy night

Jonathan Kercher pictured near his Croydon home. Police have been unable to establish the circumstances around his death after he was found collapsed in the street on a wet and windy night

John Kercher, 77, was found collapsed on the pavement yards from his home in Croydon, south London. He is pictured with his daughter Meredith who was murdered in 2007

John Kercher, 77, was found collapsed on the pavement yards from his home in Croydon, south London. He is pictured with his daughter Meredith who was murdered in 2007

Meredith Kercher was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death in a case that garnered huge media attention

Meredith Kercher was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death in a case that garnered huge media attention

The court heard that Mr Kercher was found lying injured in the road with his arm stretching out, but no one witnessed how he had ended up there despite extensive public pleas. 

Officers and his son Lyle conducted door-to-door searches of the area, but no CCTV footage could be recovered to provide a breakthrough.  

Detective Sergeant Zoe Hendrick, of Metropolitan Police, told the hearing: 'Two pieces of CCTV were found. As it was a dark, wet and rainy evening it was impossible to identify how he had come to be in the street.

'Following door to door enquiries and media appeals nothing came to light.'

Ambulance crews found Mr Kercher with  a fracture on his right ankle, left upper arm, ribs and the side of his face, and had a cut to his left eye brow.

He was said to have been 'in distress' before being taken to Croydon University Hospital for further treatment. 

Doctors found he had low blood pressure and, accordingly, his heart rate was monitored.

Two days later, though, Mr Kercher began encountering breathing problems after developing pneumonia. 

The next day, on January 17, he was placed on a ventilator and operated on for his injuries.  

In the week before he died his breathing got steadily better, but he did not regain consciousness as sedatives were removed and doctors decided to place him on end of life care after speaking to his family.

John Kercher is pictured with Meredith's mother Arline and sister Stephanie at a press conference in Italy in November 2007

John Kercher is pictured with Meredith's mother Arline and sister Stephanie at a press conference in Italy in November 2007 

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