Aimee Walker
An inquest has heard how a man died under tragic circumstances after a freak accident involving frozen hamburgers.
Police were initially bewildered by the death of 57-year-old Barry Griffiths, who was found in his first-floor flat in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, Wales.
After concerns were raised that he hadn’t been seen in over a week, he was discovered deceased on the floor of his home, with blood trailing his kitchen, hallway, and bedroom.
Eventually, officers uncovered that a bizarre tragedy had unfolded.
Griffiths, described as a ‘very quiet man,’ was reportedly found in his bed at his supported living accommodation. He was said to be fully clothed, with blood on his stomach.
His phone, wallet, and computer remained in place and there were no signs of any disturbance.
Home Office pathologist Dr. Richard Jones ruled Griffiths’ cause of death to be blood loss through sharp force injury.
Third-party involvement was ruled out following a look into statements, house-to-house inquiries, and checks on the 57-year-old’s finances and digital devices.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Vaughan was also satisfied the death wasn’t a result of s**cide but ‘more of an unexplained death.’
Following an investigation, it was ruled Griffiths died after a freak accident while preparing food.
Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Rees said (per the Western Telegraph): “My thought process favored the wound had been caused by an accident solely involving Mr. Griffiths.
“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 wound to the abdomen would have been approximately the height of the work surface. My hypothesis at that stage was that Mr. Griffiths was attempting to separate frozen burgers using a knife.”
DCI Rees said the tip of a kitchen knife, which was marked with a substance initially identified as chocolate, turned out to be Griffiths’ blood.
Area coroner Patricia Morgan concluded that the 57-year-old, who had restricted use of one arm due to a stroke, likely died from an accident preparing the frozen patties.
During the hearing, Morgan told Griffiths’ family members that she understood the information was ‘difficult’ to hear and ‘traumatic.’
She added: “Thank you for your patience while the investigation was ongoing. I express my condolences at this difficult time.”
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