Syd man felt isolated before death: court

Sydney man Scott Clements told medical staff in August last year he could vanish for 12 months and "nobody would know".

Two months later, a real estate agent found Mr Clements' decomposing body.

Coroner Harriet Grahame found on Friday the 36-year-old died some time between August 19 and October 14, 2014, in his Glebe flat in inner Sydney of cause and manner unknown.

Ms Grahame said Mr Clements had a long history of severe depression, drug and alcohol issues and also suffered from a chronic sleep disorder.

He had attempted suicide several times.

On August 19, 2014, Ms Grahame noted Mr Clements had gone to Camperdown Health Centre and complained of his social isolation, recent drug use, insomnia and childhood issues, but denied plans to take his own life.

"He told staff the computer was '90 per cent of his life, there is nobody else. I could vanish for 12 months and nobody would know,'" Ms Grahame said.

Then, on October 14, after his rent was uncharacteristically unpaid, a real estate agent went to his flat and noticed mail had accumulated in his letterbox.

Upon going inside, the agent discovered Mr Clements' body in a state of advanced decomposition, fully clothed and slumped behind a desk.

How he died could not be determined because of the extent of the decomposition, Ms Grahame said, but she noted it was estimated he had been dead for several days, possibly weeks.

Police found at his flat a small hydroponic system set up to grow cannabis, a used syringe and a bong, and also seized evidence suggesting he had been buying prescription medicines online.

"It is certainly possible that Scott took his own life. There is ample evidence of prior attempts and current despair. However, in the circumstances of escalating drug use, it is also possible that his death may have been accidental," Ms Grahame found.

"While he had no known physical ailments, the advanced decomposition of his body means that natural disease or accidental death cannot be ruled out."

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.