Inquest told of Shrewsbury river death man mystery
The death of a man whose remains were found near a river two years after he disappeared remains a mystery, an inquest heard.
Simon Paul Rothwell went missing on February 3, 2012 after a night out with friends.
His remains were found on March 20 this year near to the banks of the River Seven where it flows through the grounds of Attingham Park in Atcham, Shrewsbury.
Shropshire coroner John Ellery recorded a narrative verdict at the inquest in Shrewsbury yesterday.
He said: "Simon Rothwell entered the River Seven near Castle Walk on February 3, 2012, in the morning. He entered in unknown circumstances, there being no evidence of suicide.
"We simply don't know the circumstances in which he entered the river. We don't know if he jumped in or slipped in or was pushed in."
The inquest heard that Mr Rothwell, the former landlord of the Belvidere Pub, had been enjoying a night out visiting various pubs in Shrewsbury before getting a taxi back to a friend's house in Abbots Road.
Sergeant Tracy Ryan, giving evidence, said Mr Rothwell left the friend's house at about 12.30am.
"He was last seen walking home, which was in the opposite section to the river," she said.
"At 7.39am a dog walker found a mobile phone, keys, a pair of trousers and a pair of brown boots by the river at the Castle Walk footbridge. Searches were carried out but proved negative."
Despite searches, Mr Rothwell, 36, was not found until two years later when his body was discovered by a walker at Attingham Park.
The inquest at Shrewsbury Guildhall heard that a post mortem had been unable to ascertain a cause of death, but that there were no signs of "anything untoward" which could have led to his death.
It also heard that he was a confident swimmer.
Speaking after the hearing, Paul Rothwell, Simon's father, said the verdict marked the end of a long journey for the family.
He said: "Simon was very very close to his children and I don't think he would have them worry, so he would have made contact if he was alive on February 3.
"That night I'd given him money to go out with his friends and he was going out that night because his birthday was on the Saturday. His children would have been there so he wouldn't have just disappeared.
"I think the funeral was more important that we had the closure for the family. I'm satisfied with the verdict. He wouldn't have committed suicide. We can draw a line under it now."
