In July 2023, a tragic kitchen incident led to the untimely death of Barry Griffiths, a 57-year-old man from Llandrindod Wells, Powys, Wales. The inquest into his death, conducted on September 16, 2024 at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court, unveiled the peculiar circumstances surrounding his death.
Griffiths was discovered dead in his assisted living home on July 4, 2023 after an alarm was raised over his wellbeing. He had not been spotted for more than a week.
Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Rees detailed the scene at the inquest: “The bottom drawer of the freezer had been left open and pulled forward in a position to access food items. On the work surface in the kitchen adjacent to the fridge freezer were two uncooked burgers, a knife, and a tea towel.”
The investigators deduced that Griffiths, who had limited use of one arm due to a stroke, was probably trying to separate frozen burgers using a knife when the incident happened. The injury to his abdomen was roughly at the level of the work surface, which corroborated this theory.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Vaughan categorized the death as unexplained rather than suicide, after examining all evidence. Griffiths’ personal items, such as his mobile phone, wallet, and computer, were found in their regular spots, indicating that there was no foul play involved.
The investigation faced hurdles due to delayed securing of the crime scene. It took the police over a month to fully safeguard Griffiths’ apartment, causing potential evidence to be lost.
Despite these obstacles, the investigators managed to reconstruct the events leading up to Griffiths’ death. A post-mortem examination disclosed that he had died from a sharp force injury, specifically a stab wound to the abdomen.
The police conducted an extensive investigation, including checks on Griffiths’ finances, digital devices, and CCTV footage from the area. They discovered no evidence of forced entry, theft, or conflict, and analysis of Griffiths’ devices revealed no signs of self-harm or planning for his death. They found no evidence of third-party involvement, suicide, or any other suspicious circumstances.
Area Coroner Patricia Morgan concluded that Griffiths’ death was most likely an accident that occurred while he was preparing frozen food for cooking. Morgan acknowledged the challenging and distressing nature of the evidence and expressed appreciation for the patience shown during the investigation. Morgan also extended her condolences to Griffiths’ family, friends, and acquaintances.
Griffiths, described by acquaintances as a “very private man,” lived alone in supported accommodation, which may have contributed to the delay in finding his body.
