An inquest has concluded that Tony Gwynn, a much-loved retired bartender whose disappearance sparked a major search in 2022, took his own life after an argument with his wife.
The Section 9C ‘in writing’ inquest, conducted by Senior Coroner Caroline Sumeray on 25th July 2025, confirmed that 74-year-old Kenneth Gwynn, more commonly known as Tony, had been involved in a domestic dispute with his wife Doreen shortly before he went missing.
He was last seen at 06:00 on the morning of Wednesday 1st June 2022, with a large-scale search launched in the West Wight in a bid to locate him. Police and coastguard teams were joined by WightSAR volunteers during the search.
Sadly, Mr Gwynn was found dead at 11:46 on 6th June 2022 on Bouldnor Beach near Yarmouth.
The cause of death has been confirmed as drowning.
More than 3 years after his death, the coroner has concluded that Kenneth Anthony Gwynn, who was born in India in March 1948, killed himself.
Rest in peace sir
RIP tony,you were a lovely man,and a staple,with ron,behind the bar at the bugle
and shame on the coroner for taking 2.5 years to reach this conclusion!
It is a disgrace thatthe Coroner has taken so long to conclude this case. When is she going to do the decent thing and resign. It is clear she is completely out of her depth.