A father-of-two who was found in a river months after going missing had used cocaine and cannabis prior to his death, an inquest heard.

A week-long inquest into the death of Ambrose Ball started today (January 11) at North London Coroner’s Court in Barnet.

The 30-year-old had disappeared after a night out at The Fox pub in Palmers Green, Enfield, in January last year.

He was reported missing on January 24 when the wreckage of his car was found in Watermead Way, on the border of Tottenham and Walthamstow.

A few months later in April 22 his body was discovered in the River Lea.

Ambrose Ball’s mother, Ruth Lovell, was present in the courtroom which was presided over by Coroner Andrew Walker.

The court heard that a toxicology test on his blood had found evidence that he had used cocaine and cannabis prior to his death.

It was not clear how much was in his system but it was likely he was still feeling the effects from taking cocaine when he died.

Dr Simon Poole, a Home Office pathologist, said tests had found there was not enough in his body to kill him.

He also said he believed there was no foul play involved, with no stab wounds or trauma to his body.

Dr Poole said: “Using a CT scan we found no recent factors that might suggest he had been attacked.

“There were no bruises or marks to suggest that heavy weights were applied to limbs or neck to make him sink.”

After examining the body, he concluded it “was consistent with immersion in cold water”, suggesting “he was alive when he entered the water” and drowned.

The court also heard from Dr David Williams, an environment biologist at the Natural History Museum, who also concluded that Ambrose may have drowned.

Dr Williams had examined Ambrose’s lungs and liver tissue and samples of the river water after his body was found.

He said: “The evidence supports the theory of death by drowning on the balance of probabilities.

“I cannot be sure either way but it is more likely he drowned in the River Lea than he died beforehand.”

The inquest continues this week.