The discovery of a mummified body in a caravan has shed light on the case of a convicted sex offender who had been missing for six months following the death of his partner, as revealed in an inquest.
Richard Scatchard, aged 71, vanished after his partner, Kelly Faiers, 61, was found deceased at his residence in Minehead, Somerset, in October 2023. An inquest disclosed that Scatchard coerced Faiers into taking a fatal overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol, leading to the conclusion that she was unlawfully killed.
Scatchard, who was on life licence due to prior convictions for drugging and sexually assaulting women from 1986 to 2000, was last seen in Watchet, Somerset, a day after Faiers’ body was discovered. Despite extensive efforts by Avon and Somerset Police, Scatchard remained untraceable until his body was found at a campsite in Watchet when the caravan was removed from storage six months later.
The inquest detailed that Scatchard, despite being in good health with no reported medical issues, was positively identified through fingerprints. Detective Constable Mark Evison noted that Scatchard’s wristwatch was set to British Summer Time, indicating that it had not been adjusted since October 29, 2023, suggesting he likely passed away before the time change on March 31, 2024.
Detective Sergeant Craig Thomson mentioned that Scatchard had no known ties to the campsite and the circumstances of his arrival there remain unclear. There was no evidence of foul play or self-harm in his demise.
During the post-mortem examination, pathologist Dr Deborah Cook observed advanced decomposition and identified fractures on Scatchard’s ribs, although these injuries were deemed unlikely to be fatal. Toxicology tests revealed the presence of alcohol and sleeping pill components, but due to the body’s condition, definitive conclusions on the cause of death could not be reached.
Scatchard had concealed his relationship with Faiers from probation authorities, leading to warnings for violating his licence terms. Probation officer Curtis Martin highlighted concerns about Scatchard’s behavior and risk level, indicating potential danger to the public without proper monitoring.
The senior coroner for Somerset, Samantha Marsh, recorded an open conclusion on Scatchard’s death due to insufficient evidence to determine the exact circumstances of his demise. Marsh acknowledged the likelihood that Scatchard was aware of facing imprisonment, emphasizing the lack of evidence of his existence post-October 16.
In essence, the case remains unresolved, with uncertainties surrounding the timeline and causes of Scatchard’s death.