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Open verdict in Saddleworth Moor mystery death | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An inquest into the death of man whose body was found in mysterious circumstances on Saddleworth Moor has recorded an open conclusion. | |
David Lytton, 67, from London, was discovered at Dove Stone Reservoir in Greater Manchester on 12 December 2015. | David Lytton, 67, from London, was discovered at Dove Stone Reservoir in Greater Manchester on 12 December 2015. |
It took police more than a year to establish his identity, and a pathologist said the most likely cause of death was strychnine poisoning. | |
Coroner Simon Nelson said he could not be sure of Mr Lytton's "intention". | |
"Whilst accepting therefore, he died of his own hand, the only appropriate conclusion I can reach is an open conclusion," he said. | |
Police have ruled out any suspicious circumstances. | |
Find out more | Find out more |
The death sparked worldwide interest as a police investigation was launched to identify the body of the man, first nicknamed Neil Dovestones by mortuary workers at Royal Oldham Hospital. | The death sparked worldwide interest as a police investigation was launched to identify the body of the man, first nicknamed Neil Dovestones by mortuary workers at Royal Oldham Hospital. |
It was discovered Mr Lytton had lived in Pakistan for 10 years and had flown to London Heathrow, two days before his body was found, the inquest was told. | It was discovered Mr Lytton had lived in Pakistan for 10 years and had flown to London Heathrow, two days before his body was found, the inquest was told. |
Det Sgt John Coleman said he paid cash for a five-night hotel stay in the capital, but travelled north after one night. | |
When found, he had no wallet, phone or documents but a breakthrough came after a post-mortem examination found a metal plate in his leg, which had been fitted in an operation in Pakistan. | When found, he had no wallet, phone or documents but a breakthrough came after a post-mortem examination found a metal plate in his leg, which had been fitted in an operation in Pakistan. |
Officers later matched an artist's impression with a passport photo in a list of passengers on a flight to the UK. | Officers later matched an artist's impression with a passport photo in a list of passengers on a flight to the UK. |
The National Crime Agency was then able to determine that Mr Lytton had lived in Lahore. | The National Crime Agency was then able to determine that Mr Lytton had lived in Lahore. |
Police traced his next of kin and his identity was eventually confirmed following a DNA match with his mother in January. | Police traced his next of kin and his identity was eventually confirmed following a DNA match with his mother in January. |
It later emerged he had changed his name in 1986 from his birth name, David Lautenberg. | |
Strychnine is most commonly used as mole poison, the inquest was told, and there were traces of the substance in a medicine bottle found with Mr Lytton's body. | |
Mr Lytton's brother, Jeremy, spoke at the hearing and described him as "very insular". | |
After finishing university "he didn't want to be with anyone," he said. | |
Det Sgt Coleman described the case as "unlike anything I have ever known" in 20 years as a police officer". | |
The mystery gave rise to a number of theories about Mr Lytton's death, which were later discounted. | The mystery gave rise to a number of theories about Mr Lytton's death, which were later discounted. |
There was speculation he could have been making a final journey to the site of a plane crash in 1949, while a man from Northern Ireland contacted police to say he could be missing Hugh Toner, from Newry, who disappeared in 1994. | There was speculation he could have been making a final journey to the site of a plane crash in 1949, while a man from Northern Ireland contacted police to say he could be missing Hugh Toner, from Newry, who disappeared in 1994. |