Gruesome details of how 33-year-old Scott Cooper was stabbed multiple times and his body was found upside down in a bathroom have been revealed as the murder trial against 38-year-old Piers Brazier gets underway.
Brazier stands accused of murdering Mr Cooper at an address on George Street, Ryde on the night of 3rd into 4th January this year, but he continues to deny the single charge of murder as a trial – which is expected to last several weeks – begins at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.
It was just under 6 months ago that the body of Scott Cooper was discovered by Police, prompting the launch of Operation Amaryllis. Forensic investigators spent a staggering 11 days at Flat 3, 74 George Street in a bid to piece together the events that led to Scott’s death.
The whole case has been shrouded in rumour but it has now been revealed that a knife was used to stab Mr Cooper several times – including to the face and neck – and that his body was found upside down in the shower within the bathroom of Brazier’s flat.
It has also been confirmed that Scott was killed sometime between 23:00 on 3rd January and 00:50 on 4th January – but his body wasn’t found by Police for another 12 hours.
Scott died after bleeding out on the bedroom floor.
Hampshire Constabulary’s response to the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, with an investigation still ongoing. It’s known that at 02:50 on Tuesday 4th January, 2 Police officers attended George Street in Ryde and had been just feet away from Scott’s body.
Police later returned to the same address and this time located the body, arresting Braizer on suspicion of murder.
As part of Operation Amaryllis, a number of other people have been arrested and investigated on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to murder, but no charges have been brought against anyone other than Piers Carl Brazier.
The trial, which began on Tuesday and is being presided over by Judge Garnham, continues.
