INQUIRIES are being made to trace relatives of a journalist who covered General Medical Council hearings for more than 15 years.
An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday into the death of Sunderland-born Stuart Smith, 53, formerly of Brixton, South London.
The full inquest will be heard on May 29 following an investigation into his medical background after his sudden death, on February 19, at a friend's house at Leander Road, Brixton.
Believed to have once worked for The Journal in Newcastle, Mr Smith was well known to officials at the General Medical Council and Nurses Conduct Committee for his coverage for Fleetline News Service.
Coroner's officer Georgina Light told yesterday's hearing: "Inquiries are in hand with Streatham police and the missing persons unit to find relatives."
The cause of his death is being investigated and no date has been fixed for the funeral.
Relatives of Mr Smith living in the North-East or North Yorkshire should contact Ms Light on 0207 4075611.
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