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Sex Offender Found 'Heavily Decomposed' in Caravan
Police found no evidence Scatchard was alive after October 2023, and the pathologist said his decomposed body showed no clear cause of death.
- On April 4, 2024, the mummified remains of Richard Scatchard, 70, were discovered inside a caravan at a Watchet campsite, an inquest heard. Scatchard had been the subject of a major manhunt after his partner, Kelly Faiers, was found dead in October 2023.
- Scatchard, a sex offender on a life licence for drugging and assaulting women, went on the run after Faiers died from an overdose of sleeping tablets and alcohol at his Minehead home. Police launched a manhunt but could not locate him.
- Pathologist Dr Deborah Cook confirmed the body was "heavily decomposed" with "near-total mummification," making a precise death date impossible. Detective Constable Mark Evison noted an incorrect timezone on Scatchard's watch suggested he died prior to March 31, 2024.
- Somerset Coroner Samantha Marsh recorded an open conclusion on Scatchard's death, citing insufficient evidence to determine how or when he died. An inquest held earlier this week concluded Faiers, a mother-of-four from Weston-super-Mare, had been unlawfully killed.
- Avon and Somerset Police issued a public apology to Faiers' family following the inquest. The force increased training for officers managing sex offenders and implemented reforms following a multi-agency domestic homicide review and Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation.
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13 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
L 23%
C 69%
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