British lecturer plunged four storeys from hotel room after 'four-day drink binge' Body of veteran Robert Beers found in the Turkish capital of Istanbul The broadcaster had fought alcoholism and suffered depression He went missing while on his way to Mumbai to lecture students Hotel plunge: Veteran journalist Robert Beers fell from his fourth-floor hotel room in Turkey after a drink binge An award-winning journalist plunged four storeys to his death from a hotel window after a four-day alcohol binge, an inquest heard. Veteran broadcaster and university lecturer Robert Beers died instantly in the fall from his room in Istanbul, Turkey, after going missing on his way to India. The 67-year-old war-zone journalist, who covered stories in more than 60 countries in an illustrious 40-year career, died last February. A coroner at his inquest heard how Mr Beers, who had a history of depression, had overcome a battle with alcoholism in the 1990s. But he suffered a major relapse in the days leading up to his sudden death. Mr Beers was living in the UK and working as the degree course leader in MA International Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire at the time of his death. A coroner heard that he set off alone for a university trip to India from Manchester Airport on February 6. However, a major search was launched for the former CBS reporter when he failed to turn up in Mumbai the following day, where he was expected to speak to budding UCLan media students. He was found two days later in Istanbul by Turkish police and a fellow university lecturer. Veteran: Robert Beers had fought alcoholism for many years before his relapse shortly before his death He had been 'drinking heavily, was dishevelled, and in no fit state to travel,' the inquest heard. A local doctor gave Mr Beers a sedative and he was left in bed to sleep off the effects of the alcohol on February 11. Later that day, his body was discovered after falling from the open window of his hotel room on the fourth floor of the The Green Park Hotel Taksim in the Turkish capital. The inquest at Hatfield, Hertfordshire, was told a post-mortem examination concluded Mr Beers had died from skull fractures and multiple body trauma. Last journey: Robert Beers fell from his fourth-floor room at The Green Park Hotel in Istanbul Tragedy: Robert Beers fell to his death from his fourth-floor hotel room in the Turkish capital of Istanbul Toxicology tests revealed he was 'significantly inebriated' at the time of his death. The broadcaster's second wife, Melanie, heard assistant coroner Frances Cranfield record a narrative verdict Mr Beers, living in Broughton, Lancashire, at the time of his death, was born in Seattle on November 25, 1946, and was influenced to become a reporter by his well-known uncle, William Calhoun Baggs, who edited the Miami News from 1957 to 1969. After studying journalism degrees, he worked as an award-winning television correspondent and a documentary producer for the US network, CBS, and completed assignments in more than 60 countries. Student tribute: The University of Central Lancashire where Robert Beers taught journalism. Students spoke of his 'wisdom and humour' In later life, he worked as a news consultant in the Americas, before working for The Guardian, BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service. He then joined the University of Central Lancashire in Preston in 2004 and helped to establish the first postgraduate international journalism course in the UK. Following his shock death, students told of his 'wisdom, humour and insight'. Mr Beers' first marriage, to Sandy, was dissolved. He is survived by wife Melanie Francis, his daughter Caroline Beers-Tabesh, son-in-law Charlie Tabesh, stepdaughter Freya, and granddaughter Juliette.