THE inquest into the death of Joseph Pearce has been opened.

Tony Williams, senior coroner for Somerset, opened the inquest today (July 19) at Taunton Coroners Office in the Old Municipal Buildings, Corporation Street.

The coroners court heard that an ambulance was first called to a property in Churchill Close, Burnham, after reports of a stabbing.

Mr Pearce, 40, of Shearn Lane, Burnham-on-Sea, later died at the scene on July 11.

Mr Williams read an extract from Mr Pearce's preliminary post mortem which confirmed the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

The inquest has been adjourned while a police investigation is under way. There will be a case management review in around six months.

Two men appeared at Exeter Crown Court yesterday (July 18) charged with the murder of Joseph Pearce.

Dominic Lacey, 21, of Newham Place, Patchway and James Hobbs, 43, of Churchill Close, Burnham-on-Sea, were refused bail when they appeared in the dock.

RELATED: MURDER PROBE: Joseph Pearce, 40, died in 'suspicious' incident in Burnham-on-Sea

Mr Pearce from Burnham-on-Sea died from a single stab wound after an incident on Churchill Close in Burnham-on-Sea on July 10.

Lacey and Hobbs have been remanded in custody and will appear at Exeter Crown Court on August 25 to enter a plea. 

The trial is expected to be on January 28, 2018.