A 57-year-old man tragically died after accidentally stabbing himself while trying to separate two frozen burgers with a knife, an inquest revealed.
Barry Griffiths, from Llandrindod Wells, Wales, was found dead in his supported living flat in July last year, several days after the incident.
Griffiths, who lived alone, had restricted use of one arm due to a previous stroke. Detectives were initially puzzled by a trail of blood through the flat, but a post-mortem examination confirmed he died from a self-inflicted stab wound to the abdomen.
Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Rees, testifying at the Pontypridd coroner’s court, explained that the positioning of the freezer, the uncooked burgers and the knife on the kitchen counter led to the conclusion that Griffiths accidentally injured himself while attempting to separate the frozen burgers. The height of the wound matched the level of the kitchen work surface.
Concerns had been raised about Griffiths’ well-being after he had not been seen for over a week and police later discovered his body, fully clothed, on his bed. Detective Sergeant Stephen Vaughan stated that there was no evidence of foul play or suicide, describing it as an “unexplained death.”
Area coroner Patricia Morgan concluded that Griffiths’ death was the result of a tragic accident. She expressed her condolences to his family, acknowledging the difficult and traumatic nature of the case.