A wife found her husband’s body behind a garden shed two days after suffering a fatal injury in a freak chainsaw accident.
Ed Parry had been carrying out gardening and DIY jobs in Seasalter, near Whitstable, when he injured his wrist while using the chainsaw.
But he went undiscovered for almost 48 hours after seemingly going missing from the family home on April 21 this year.
Mr Parry’s wife, Amy, raised the alarm after he disappeared without a trace, filing a missing person’s report to the police.
But despite officers carrying out extensive searches, the plumber remained hidden between a garden fence and the shed until the family dog made the heartbreaking discovery.
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 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.
Mrs Parry become increasingly concerned for her husband’s whereabouts after discovering their youngest son home alone and Mr Parry’s keys and wallet in the house.
She tried to reach him several times, calling his phone, but was unsuccessful and after four hours of waiting and searching, called the police.
Officers come to the house to carry out a preliminary investigation and despite searching the property, did not find Mr Parry’s body.
Financial records and CCTV footage was investigated and neighbours were questioned after it emerged Mr Parry had carried out some gardening work for them, but his location remained a mystery.
Two days later Mrs Parry made the grim discovery and ran out to police who were carrying out door-to-door enquiries.
She confirmed that she had found her husband of 17 years’ body after being alerted by the family dog.
Police did not believe the incident was a suicide after finding the garden shed clean and tidy and no note.
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.’
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.
‘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 said she 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.’
