A much-loved dad was found dead behind his garden shed almost two days after being reported missing – having suffered a fatal injury in a freak chainsaw accident.
Ed Parry’s worried wife, Amy, had raised the alarm after he seemingly disappeared without a trace from the family’s home in Seasalter, near Whitstable.
But despite police attending and carrying out extensive searches, it was not until almost 48 hours later that Mrs Parry – alerted by their family dog – made the heartbreaking discovery herself.
An inquest heard Mr Parry had suffered a catastrophic wound to his left wrist while doing gardening work using a handheld chainsaw.
The 54-year-old, who ran a successful plumbing business, had been reported missing by his wife on April 21 after she returned home and could not find him.
Earlier that day, she had taken the eldest of their two sons to Ashford, while her husband took their youngest son to Canterbury.
Coroner Sarah Clarke said: “At around 4.30pm, Amy returned home and couldn’t find Ed.
“Their youngest son was upstairs. Amy was surprised that the youngest son was at home on his own.
“Ed’s car and work van were in the driveway, and his keys and wallet were inside the house.”
Unable to reach her husband, Mrs Parry reported him missing at 8.19pm. Police arrived four hours later and assessed him as a medium-risk missing person.
Over the following two days, officers carried out searches of the house, analysed CCTV and checked his financial records – discovering only that he had visited a Best One shop in Faversham to buy dog food and tobacco.
Mrs Parry, who had been married to her husband for 17 years, explained that he had been doing some work in the neighbour’s garden that day.
The neighbour confirmed this, but despite further police enquiries, his whereabouts remained unknown.
It was not until 5pm on April 23 that a distraught Mrs Parry, already on the phone to 999, ran outside to officers carrying out door-to-door enquiries, saying she had found her husband.
Coroner Clarke said: “A body was located between the shed and the left-hand side of the garden.
“The dog had been indicating behind the shed. Amy then went to look, then ran outside.
The garden was tidy, and there was evidence of gardening jobs being completed…
“PC Rose attended the scene, where it was confirmed a body was wedged between the shed and fence panels. Fire crews also attended.
“The garden was tidy, and there was evidence of gardening jobs being completed.
“In the same area was a handheld chainsaw, which could be seen to have blood-staining.”
A police investigation confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement, and toxicology tests found no substances of concern in Mr Parry’s system.
After reviewing the evidence at the hearing on Wednesday, Coroner Clarke was confident Mr Parry did not intend to take his own life.
She said: “He had his phone and credit card on him.
“Searches were made for notes of intent, but as far as officers were concerned, there was no evidence this was deliberate.
“He had his own successful business, no debts, and his finances in order.
“There were no previous self-harm or suicide attempts.
“I have no evidence that this was an intentional act. I have good evidence that [gardening] was a normal activity for Ed.”
Recording a conclusion of accidental death, the coroner added: “I hope that the record and recording of the inquest will help with explaining things to Ed’s children in the future.”
