An inquest has concluded a man found dead at a chalet park was unlawfully killed.

A coroners’ court has been told Sam Petrou died last year after being “shot in the chest” at Cliff Cottage Chalet Park, on Sheppey.

Paramedics were called to Fourth Avenue, Eastchurch, at about 9.40am on June 11, where they found the 35-year-old “unresponsive”, the inquest heard.

Although they were not notified until that morning, police believe the construction worker had died at about 8pm the day before.

Giving evidence, DS Alastair Worton said the force was called to the scene by the paramedics and a murder investigation was subsequently launched.

He told the court witnesses had described hearing “bangs” the previous evening which sounded like “gunshots or fireworks”.

He added: “By use of CCTV we were able to identify a figure entering the chalet park. Two minutes later he was seen running out of the same location.

“That timing coincides with when the witnesses described hearing the sounds.”

DS Worton said officers identified the figure as being Jonathon Lawlor and no one else was involved in the shooting.

Lawlor, of no fixed address, was arrested in Newcastle four days after the discovery of Mr Petrou’s body and charged with murder.

The 42-year-old was due to face trial at Maidstone Crown Court in December but before he could, he was found dead in his cell at HMP Elmley on Sheppey.

DS Worton added: “Mr Petrou was unlawfully killed in a chalet park. Mr Lawlor was responsible for the killing and was the person who shot him.

“There is no evidence of a lawful excuse or defence if he had stood trial.”

A post-mortem confirmed the cause of death as gunshot wounds and said there was no evidence a physical altercation had taken place prior.

Area coroner Catherine Wood concluded Mr Petrou was unlawfully killed.

She added: “I would like to thank those who investigated in Kent Police and offer my condolences to the family.”

The inquest was first opened on June 23 last year, however, it was suspended to allow a police investigation to take place.

Officers originally arrested five people in connection with the shooting, with three being released without charge.

Lawlor’s girlfriend, Daisy Donohoe, was also arrested at her home in Burnell Avenue, Welling, and was charged with assisting an offender following the death of Mr Petrou.

The mum-of-two was accused of trying to help Lawlor “lie low” after he shot Mr Petrou but was found not guilty by a jury following a crown court trial in March.

The 35-year-old had denied knowing that her boyfriend, who she had known since early childhood, was responsible for Mr Petrou's death.

After his death, friends and relatives paid tribute to Mr Petrou, of Duncan Road, Gillingham, on social media saying he was always “smiling and laughing”.

His father, Nick, said: “He was so loved – the number of posts and heartfelt comments people have put up for him has blown me away.

“I would like to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my broken heart.”

A friend, Ben Hyland, posted: "Devastated is an understatement - I cannot remember Sam not smiling and laughing.

“He was such a nice man and would do anything for anyone, so I am proud to call him my friend - I am going to miss him dearly."