A 57-year-old man from Llandrindod Wells, Powys, Wales, named Barry Griffiths, unfortunately lost his life in an uncommon kitchen accident in July 2023. The Pontypridd Coroner’s Court held the inquest into his death on September 16, 2024, uncovering the peculiar circumstances surrounding his demise.

Griffiths was discovered dead in his assisted living home on July 4, 2023, after alerts were raised about his absence. He had remained unseen for over seven days.

At the inquest, Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Rees gave a description of the scene: “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 detective’s investigation deduced that Griffiths, who had limited use of one arm due to a previous stroke, was likely trying to separate frozen burgers with a knife when the incident happened. The investigation found that the wound on his abdomen was roughly at the height of the kitchen work surface, supporting this hypothesis.

Initially, Detective Sergeant Stephen Vaughan labeled the death as unexplained rather than suicide. No evidence of foul play was detected as Griffiths’ personal items, including his mobile phone, wallet, and computer, were found in their regular places.

Securing the crime scene in time posed challenges for the investigation. The police took over a month to fully secure Griffiths’ apartment, leading to possible loss of crucial evidence.

Despite these obstacles, investigators managed to assemble the events preceding Griffiths’ death. Autopsy results showed that he died from a sharp force injury, specifically a stab wound to the abdomen.

As part of the thorough investigation, the police checked Griffiths’ financial transactions, digital devices, and CCTV footage from the surrounding area. They found no signs of forced entry, theft, or disputes. An analysis of Griffiths’ electronic devices didn’t show any signs of self-harm or plans for his death. They also found no evidence of third-party involvement, suicide, or any other suspicious circumstances.

Area Coroner Patricia Morgan reached a verdict that Griffiths’ death was likely accidental, happening while he was preparing frozen food for cooking. She recognized the difficult and distressing nature of the evidence and thanked everyone for their patience during the investigation. Morgan also extended her sympathies to the victim’s family, friends, and acquaintances.

Those who knew him described Griffiths as a “very private man.” He lived by himself in supported housing, which might have contributed to the delay in finding his body.