More than 2 years after a body was discovered floating in the water off the Isle of Wight, the identity of the deceased remains unknown – and an inquest has now returned an open conclusion.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the body was first spotted by crew aboard Brittany Ferries’ Cotentin at around 20:00 on 8th January 2023, some 16 miles off St Catherine’s Point on the southern tip of the Isle of Wight.
HM Coastguard was alerted, prompting the launch of the Bembridge RNLI lifeboat and deployment of the Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter. A body was located in the water and recovered by emergency teams.
Since the discovery, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has conducted extensive investigations in an effort to identify the individual and determine the circumstances of the death. However, more than 2 years on, the person’s identity and how they came to be in the water remain a mystery.
An inquest into the death was formally opened in June 2023 and concluded following a Section 9C hearing completed on 2nd September 2025.
HM Senior Coroner Caroline Sumeray heard that the deceased – legally recorded as “Unknown” – was found in a state of advanced decomposition, meaning a medical cause of death could not be determined. The official cause of death was given as “Unascertained due to Advanced Decomposition.”
The inquest concluded with an open conclusion.
