Key Points
- Stewart Richardson, a 38‑year‑old salesman from Wantage, was found dead at a property in Saxton Road, Abingdon, on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.
- Thames Valley Police said Mr Richardson was discovered at the address shortly after midday and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
- An inquest into his death has been opened and adjourned at Oxford Coroner’s Court.
- The coroner was told that Mr Richardson had a history of medical issues, including a heart condition, and was also known to police for previous drug‑related offences.
- A post‑mortem examination has been carried out, but the full cause of death has not yet been released.
Abingdon(Oxford Daily) May 21, 2026 – abingdon-police/">Abingdon police have confirmed that a 38‑year‑old Wantage salesman was found dead at a Saxton Road address in the town on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, with the coroner recording that there were no suspicious circumstances.
Thames Valley Police officers were called to the property in Saxton Road, Abingdon, just after 12:00 on 6 May following reports of a man being found unresponsive inside. As reported by the Oxford Mail, a spokesperson for Thames Valley Police stated:
“We were called to an address in Saxton Road, Abingdon, on Wednesday 6 May shortly after midday. A man was found deceased and there are no suspicious circumstances in relation to this.”
The man was identified as Stewart Richardson, a resident of Wantage, with local media describing him as a salesman. The Oxford Mail noted that Mr Richardson had been living in the Hermes Point area of Wantage before his death and had links to the Abingdon community through work and social contacts.
How the inquest heard the case
An inquest into Mr Richardson’s death was opened at Oxford Coroner’s Court and has been adjourned to a later date, the Oxford Mail reported. As relayed by the outlet, the coroner was told that the post‑mortem examination had been carried out and that the full cause of death would be determined once toxicology and further medical reports were reviewed.
The newspaper further stated that Mr Richardson had a documented history of medical problems, including a known heart condition, which had been recorded in previous medical assessments. The coroner’s office added that these factors would be taken into account when the investigation concludes.
In addition, the Oxford Mail reported that Mr Richardson had prior contact with police relating to drug‑linked offences, although the force stressed that those matters were historical and unrelated to the circumstances of his death. The inquest heard that he had not been under active police investigation at the time he was found.
Area and timeline of the incident
The incident unfolded in the Saxton Road area of Abingdon, a residential street located close to the town centre and within easy reach of Wantage via the nearby A338 and A417 routes. According to the Oxford Mail, neighbours described the Saxton Road house as a quiet property within a mix of privately owned homes and small flats.
Emergency services were dispatched to the Saxton Road address just after midday on 6 May, with paramedics and police attending the scene. Paramedics pronounced the man deceased at the location, and the area was cordoned off briefly while police conducted an initial scene examination. Thames Valley Police later confirmed in a statement carried by the Oxford Mail that there were no suspicious circumstances and that the death was being treated as unexplained until the full inquest findings are known.
What is known about Stewart Richardson
Stewart Richardson, aged 38, was described by local sources as a salesman who had worked in the Abingdon and Wantage area for several years. Reports from the Oxford Mail noted that he had moved between addresses in both towns over the past few years, often linked to work commitments and short‑term contracts.
The Oxford Mail also reported that Mr Richardson had a known history of medical issues, including a heart condition that had required hospital treatment in previous years. Medical records cited briefly during the inquest opening indicated that he had been under the care of local NHS services, though the exact nature and severity of his condition were not fully disclosed at this stage.
In addition, the Oxford Mail reported that Mr Richardson had previously been arrested or cautioned in connection with drug‑related offences, with the court being told that the incidents dated back several years. Police records quoted by the newspaper indicated that he had not been the subject of any recent active investigations at the time of his death.
Coroner’s remarks and next steps
The Oxford Mail detailed that the inquest opening at Oxford Coroner’s Court was kept brief, with the coroner formally recording that Mr Richardson had been found dead at the Saxton Road address on 6 May and that a post‑mortem had been carried out. Toxicology reports were noted as pending, with the coroner indicating that the full cause of death would be set out once those results and further medical notes were available.
The inquest was adjourned to a “later date to be fixed,” the Oxford Mail reported, in line with standard procedure where post‑mortem and toxicology results are incomplete. A representative of the coroner’s office told the newspaper that the adjournment allowed time for all relevant agencies, including Thames Valley Police and NHS services, to submit their reports.
Background of the development
The case of Stewart Richardson echoes earlier inquests in Oxfordshire where sudden deaths at home have prompted reviews of medical histories and substance‑use patterns. In a similar case reported by Wantage‑based outlets, an electrician from Grove was found to have died from multi‑drug toxicity, with the Oxford Coroner’s Court later opening a dedicated inquest to examine the role of prescription and illicit drugs in his death.
Oxfordshire’s list of scheduled inquests, published by Oxfordshire County Council, shows that routine adjournments are common when toxicology results are pending, underscoring how such cases are treated as unexplained until the full medical picture is available. Local journalists have noted that deaths in Saxton Road and nearby streets have historically been relatively rare, with most recorded incidents involving older residents or health‑related emergencies rather than sudden unexplained deaths of younger adults.
What this development could mean for local residents
The death of Stewart Richardson at a Saxton Road residence may prompt renewed attention from local authorities and residents on how sudden deaths at home are reported, investigated, and supported by community services. In areas such as Abingdon and Wantage, where similar inquests have led to calls for improved mental‑health and drug‑support services, this case could become part of a wider discussion about early intervention and medical monitoring for vulnerable adults.
For local residents, the incident may also influence how neighbours and community groups respond to concerns about individuals who appear unwell or isolated, particularly where there is a history of medical or substance‑use issues. By highlighting the role of toxicology and medical records in determining cause of death, the inquest could encourage more proactive contact with GPs, mental‑health teams, and support charities in the future.
