A city car valeter found dead in woodland days before Christmas had been due to visit his daughter, a court has heard. 

The body of Artur Pietrzak, of Marriott Close, was discovered by police off Norwich Road in Little Plumstead on December 22, 2023. 

Officers were called to the area that morning following concerns from a member of the public. 

Paramedics declared the 47-year-old dead at the scene. 

An inquest into his death held at Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard how the Polish national had been due to fly out to his home country to visit his daughter. 

In a statement from his family, shared with the court based at County Hall, they said: “We find it hard to believe he hanged himself. There was no indication of that. 

"He never complained. I know he abused alcohol, but he was a cheerful person. 

“Maybe he had some problems we didn’t know about.” 

The court also heard that Mr Pietrzak was born on August 23, 1976, in Poland, and had worked as a vehicle preparation operative for just over a year before his death. 

He had limited English but was described as a “very hard worker” by his bosses. 

A post mortem found he had alcohol in his system when he died, and the medical cause of death was given as “hanging”. 

Summing up the evidence, the senior coroner for Norfolk, Jacqueline Lake, said: “The evidence does not reveal his intention as to whether or not he intended to take his own life.” 

She recorded an open conclusion. 

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