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, according to an inquest report.
Richard Scatchard, aged 71, disappeared after his partner, Kelly Faiers, aged 61, was found dead at his residence in Minehead, Somerset, in October 2023. An inquest revealed that Scatchard coerced Faiers into taking a lethal overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol, leading to her unlawful death.
Scatchard, previously convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting women from 1986 to 2000, was on a life license. The last known sighting of him was in Watchet, approximately 10 miles from Minehead, a day after Faiers’ body was discovered.
Despite efforts by Avon and Somerset Police to locate Scatchard, he remained elusive, with no signs of life after October 2023. His body was eventually found in a campsite in Watchet when the caravan was removed from storage after six months.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Scatchard, despite his age and good health, had not corrected the time on his wristwatch since October 29, 2023, suggesting he likely passed away before March 31, 2024. The circumstances of his arrival at the campsite remain unknown.
A post-mortem examination conducted by Pathologist Dr. Deborah Cook revealed significant decomposition of Scatchard’s body, with no apparent natural cause of death. Though toxicology samples indicated the presence of alcohol and sleeping tablet compounds, the level of decomposition made it impossible to confirm the cause of death.
Scatchard had concealed his relationship with Faiers from probation officers, leading to warnings for breaching license conditions. Probation officer Curtis Martin described Scatchard as posing a medium risk due to his confrontational behavior and lack of cooperation.
The coroner recorded an open conclusion on Scatchard’s death, citing the absence of conclusive evidence on the circumstances leading to his demise. Despite uncertainties, it was recognized that Scatchard likely anticipated a return to prison, influencing the outcome of the investigation.