Hockney's assistant 'covered up drug use' after aide's death He also ruled that there were no suspicious circumstances or any third party involvement in the death. Detective Sergeant Thomas Napier, who compiled the file on the death, earlier told the coroner: "It does remain a mystery - for an intelligent young man to drink such a noxious substance." After the verdict, Humberside Police confirmed that a 48-year-old man and a 23-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences after Mr Elliott's death. They remain on police bail and have not been charged. Mr Elliott was an assistant to 76-year-old Hockney and sat for a number of portraits by the artist, including a charcoal drawing produced earlier this year. The two-day inquest at Hull Coroner's Court heard that the young aide drank the cleaner containing concentrated sulphuric acid, which caused serious damage to his mouth and throat before perforating his stomach, after "partying" with Mr Fitzherbert and taking drugs including cocaine and ecstasy. Mr Fitzherbert, who was Hockney's partner for 20 years and still lives at the artist's home, took Mr Elliott to hospital in Scarborough but he died early on Sunday March 17. The painter usually goes to bed very early and was asleep in his room at the time, the inquest was told. Mr Goncalves De Lima said Hockney had not been in good health since his mini-stroke and is also 99 per cent deaf without his hearing aids. He said that Mr Elliott and another of Hockney's helpers, Mark Shephard, competed for Mr Fitzherbert's attention and he would buy them substantial presents, including cars and designer clothes. Mr Elliott suffered bouts of depression and was deeply affected by the death of his twin sister at birth and his father, when he was 11. He also had some financial problems caused by gambling, the inquest heard. The coroner was told that Mr Fitzherbert went missing two days after Mr Elliott's death but was found at a Bridlington beauty spot and taken to hospital. Robert Francis QC, representing Hockney, told the inquest that the artist "felt his loss keenly" and wanted to pass on his condolences. Mr Fitzherbert's solicitor, Daniel Machover, said outside the court: "This is a tragedy for everyone who knew and loved Dominic. John has given every possible assistance to the court and he is still struggling himself to come to terms with Dominic's death.