The sudden death of a Streatham Park cleaner has baffled medical experts at his inquest.

Ecuadorean Jose Inca Guaman was found in his flat on May 28 this year, just two weeks after immigration officials told him he had the right to stay in Britain permanently.

The 45-year-old from Colson Way had choked to death after undigested food became trapped in his lungs - but at the inquest a pathologist could not explain why he did not cough to dislodge the blockage.

The inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court heard that Mr Inca Guaman, a dad-of-four and former competitive cyclist who had lived in Britain for nine years, had a healthy lifestyle and did not suffer from any known medical problems Pathologist Dr Cathy Corbishley said: "There were no abnormalities in his organs. He had a small heart and very good arteries."

She added that there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs in the dead man's body.

When asked if she could think of any possible explanation for his death, she said he may have had an undetectable heart condition.

The court heard on the day of his death, Mr Inca Guaman's friends became worried when he missed work and would not answer his phone. One of them went his flat at 5.30pm, and discovered his body on a bed in the corner of his room.

The last time Mr Inca Guaman was known to be alive was 4.15am that morning, when a housemate heard him switch off his alarm clock.

Six members of Mr Inca Guaman's family were in court to hear the results of the inquest last Thursday.

Describing the mystery behind Mr Inca Guaman's death, coroner Dr Paul Knapman said: "Why did he not cough? We don't know."

He concluded that Mr Guaman died due to "acute aspiration of his stomach contents for an unknown reason".

An open verdict was recorded.