'Mystery' of David Hockney aide who died after drinking acid

Man, 23, killed by concoction at artist's house
Death drink: Dominic Elliot, seen in an actual painting by David Hockney, right, died after drinking acid. Drugs and alcohol were also found in his blood system
PA
Standard Reporter30 August 2013

The reason why an assistant to world-famous artist David Hockney drank acid with fatal consequences is "a mystery", a detective has told a coroner.

Detective Sergeant Thomas Napier was giving evidence on the second day of an inquest into the death of Dominic Elliott, 23, who worked as a studio assistant for the painter.

The hearing in Hull has been told that Mr Elliott died after drinking the acid at Hockney's house in Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

A post-mortem examination showed he had also taken cocaine, ecstasy and temazepam before he died. The inquest also that heard he had been drinking and smoking cannabis.

Today, Det Sgt Napier, who compiled the file on the death for Humberside Police, said: "It does remain a mystery - for an intelligent young man to drink such a noxious substance."

In statement read yesterday, Hockney said his former long-term partner, John Fitzherbert, who still lived in the painter's home, was in a relationship with Mr Elliott.

The coroner heard that it was Mr Fitzherbert who took Mr Elliott to hospital in Scarborough, where he died. The inquest continues.

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