Robert Brown, 57, was found slumped on a bench beside a canal footpath in Northampton last summer, sparking a large-scale murder investigation before the coroner ruled his death a tragic accident
A father tragically bled to death on a riverside bench after accidentally falling asleep against a knife in his rucksack, an inquest has revealed. The death of Robert Brown, 57, prompted a major murder investigation when he was discovered slumped on a bench next to a canal footpath in Northampton last summer.
He was last spotted visiting a supermarket the day before he was found by a cyclist who noticed blood seeping through the gaps in the bench. The grim discovery around 6.30am on 1 August last year led to a significant police response amid concerns he had been intentionally killed.
Detectives carried out extensive searches of the River Nene and detained three individuals on suspicion of murder. However, all were subsequently released without charge.
An inquest heard yesterday how Mr Brown’s death was most likely due to a bizarre accident after he “rolled onto a knife carried in his backpack” while intoxicated.
The inquest was informed that Mr Brown may have fallen into a deep sleep, putting his weight onto the rucksack which caused the knife to pierce the bag.
The single-edged five-inch (13cm) blade sliced through the bag and all three layers of his coat before cutting his arm, resulting in fatal blood loss from a 3cm wound.
Detectives concluded the murder investigation in February this year, with officers determining that the injury sustained is “likely to have been unintentionally self-inflicted”.
Senior Coroner for Northamptonshire, Anne Pember, concluded that the case was a “tragic accident.”
Detective Chief Inspector Torie Harrison, of Northamptonshire Police, revealed they initially believed Mr Brown had been killed by a third party and the weapon had not been found, or it was an accidental death or self-harm.
The inquest heard that Mr Brown, who battled with alcohol addiction, had sustained a slash wound from a blade but it did not strike any arteries.
There was no blood on the knife but fibres on the blade matched layers of his coat and traces containing a high amount of his DNA were identified.
The police report stated that the findings support that the knife causing the damage belonged to the victim.
Officers declared there was no motive for anyone to murder Robert and DCI Harrison expressed her belief that it was a “tragic accidental death”.
A post-mortem examination had provided a provisional cause of death as acute blood loss from a wound to his left upper arm.
At the time of his death, his bereaved family paid a heartfelt tribute and described Mr Brown, who was also a grandfather, as possessing ‘the gift of the gab and a heart of gold’.
His parents and brothers said in a statement: “Rob was quite a character and always full of fun.
“He was our real-life Peter Pan – the boy who never grew up. Everyone who knew Rob just loved him.
“He definitely had the gift of the gab and could talk the hind legs off a donkey.
“We would joke that he knew more about everybody else’s business than his own, but that was Rob. He had a heart of gold and was always ready to help others.”
Son Daniel, daughter Tonia, and his grandchildren also paid tribute and said: “Our hearts are broken, but everyone’s kind words bring us comfort and show how much of an impact our dad had on the people he met.
“He loved to talk to anyone and everyone! We have our happy memories to cherish, and Dad will leave a massive gap in our family with his cheeky smile and kind heart.
“Dad was a kind and loving man, and we will all miss him incredibly.”
His partner Julia said: “At school I always had the hots for Robert, he was the school heartthrob.
“Being with Robert there was never a dull moment, we laughed and joked at the same things.
“He would do anything for me, he was a selfless person and always put others first, nothing was ever too much.
“I’ll hold on to our laughter and adventures. You may be gone, but your love, kindness, and spirit will live on in me.”
The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death.