Kevin Keegan's nephew dies in hotel from 'drug overdose' after months as a recluse

A nephew of Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has been found dead in a hotel after months of living as a recluse.

Craig Keegan, whose body was discovered by staff, is believed to have taken a drugs overdose.

His father, Michael, the younger brother of the former England boss, told an inquest the 27-year-old suffered from a fear of open spaces and did not leave his house for five months.

The bachelor, who worked as an office clerk, booked a room with travel website lastminute.com for three nights at the Metro Inns motel in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, an inquest was told.

Manager Melanie Butcher said he checked into Room 220 on Monday June 30 but she did not see him during his stay.

Last Wednesday morning a cleaner could not gain access to the room so Ms Butcher used a keycode to open the door with the intention of waking Mr Keegan.

She told the inquest she saw him lying on the bed and ‘immediately thought that he looked dead’.

Paramedics were called and confirmed Mr Keegan had died before a post mortem examination was carried out.

Doncaster Deputy Coroner Fred Curtis said he was still awaiting a report giving the cause of death and the results of toxicology tests to establish if he had taken an overdose.

Giving evidence of identification, Michael Keegan, said he last saw his son about three weeks ago.

He spent most of his time at his home in in Edenthorpe, South Yorkshire, and had not been out for nearly half a year because of his agoraphobia.

The inquest was adjourned to a later date and Mr Curtis granted the family a cremation order.

It is not known if his uncle will attend the funeral, which has not yet been fixed.

He was not available for comment.