An inquest was formally opened at Warrington Coroner’s Court on Wednesday into the death of Malcolm Howell.
Mr Howell, of Macclesfield, died on December 29 at Macclesfield Hospital aged 85, the court heard.
It was said during the hearing that he was found dead in his car at the hospital, with a gun in his hand and a wound to the back of his head.
The court heard that the death was not treated as being suspicious by Cheshire Police.
His identity was confirmed by a family member to a police officer on New Year’s Eve, December 31.
A coroner officer requested that an inquest be opened due to the cause of death being ‘unnatural’.
They also requested that the inquest then be adjourned to allow for further work to be completed.
An internal coronial review date was set for March 16, with a full inquest date set for May 12.
Victoria Davies, area coroner for Cheshire, said: “Given the circumstances, there is clearly an unnatural cause of death.
“I formally open an inquest into the death and adjourn for further work before an inquest on May 12.”
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