A coroner has today (Wednesday) given an open conclusion at the inquest into the death of Michael Davies, who is said to have become stuck in mud on marshland after going missing from a hotel in Sandown back in May.
The skeletal remains of 71-year-old Michael from Blania in South Wales were discovered on marshland near to Marsh Close, Sandown on 1st July, some 5 weeks after he disappeared from the Hotel Maria just 1/2 mile away.
Mr Davies and his wife had come to the Island on a coaching holiday when, out of the blue, the much-loved husband, father and grandfather disappeared. The alarm was raised with Police on the morning of Wednesday 27th May, although an appeal for the missing man was not made public until 15:00 that day when he was classified as a high-risk missing person, with a helicopter and WightSAR not on scene until 17:00.
Today’s inquest held in Newport heard how the advanced decomposed remains of Mr Davies – known as Mike – were found in marshland by Police after two nearby workers notified them of a ‘putrid’ smell coming from the area, a smell they had previously smelt over a week or two before.
Mr Davies’ body was found face down within thick reeds and shrubbery and was identified by clothing, jewellery and a wallet.
A statement from Mike’s wife, Patricia was read out in the court room this afternoon which described how her husband had told her of a ‘snake eating animal’ in the bathroom just a day before he went missing. Previously, Mike’s family had raised concerns about the symptoms of dementia, however Mike refused to be tested by doctors.
After going for a shower in their hotel room on the evening of Tuesday 26th May, Patricia discovered Mike had left the room. Thinking he had gone for one of his short evening walks as he normally would, Patricia fell asleep. The wife of 53 years woke at around 02:00 on Wednesday morning to discover Mike had not returned. Not wanting to disturb anyone, Patricia waited until 06:30 to report her husband missing after talking with family back home in Wales.
It was later discovered Mike, who had been spotted by other guests at around 23:00, left the hotel via a fire exit and proceeded along Avenue Road, Sandown where he was captured on CCTV in the early hours of Wednesday morning – the last time Michael Davies was seen alive.
A post mortem carried out at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport failed to identify the cause of death, which was recorded as unassertained. With no fracture marks on the bones and no sign of third party involvement, it is the belief of Police and Her Majesty’s coroner, Caroline Sumeray, that Mr Davies was on marshland before he became stuck in mud, falling over and grabbing at vegetation – which was still in his hands when discovered – as he fell. It is thought Mr Davies had been on the marshland since going missing.
Details of the extensive search efforts by Police and other agencies, which have been commended by the Island’s coroner, explained how the area in which Mr Davies was found had been included in the initial search with officers coming within 15m of his location. Due to the boggy nature of the land and thick vegetation, search teams were unable to cover every inch of the marshland and the National Police Air Service helicopter failed to spot the pensioner with the 4-8ft reeds.
It has been confirmed that the area was due to be re-searched in the Autumn once conditions improved, but Mr Davies’ body was found before this could happen.
The Island community rallied around and organised a public search for the pensioner, which was today praised by DC David Payne of Newport CID who thanked both the press and public for their efforts.
Coroner Caroline Sumeray today said:
“Evidence would suggest Michael Davies appeared to show signs of early onset dementia. He was becoming confused and his thinking was not entirely rational.
“Having ascertained he was in a state of confusion, it’s possible any manner of things could have happened. I cannot rule out that he suffered from a natural event such as a heart attack or a stroke.
“With no suggestion of him breaking a leg, it is possible he tripped and couldn’t get up”.
Mrs Sumeray recorded an open conclusion.
