Elderly rambler from Sedgley found dead in fishing pool took his own life, coroner rules
A keen rambler who went missing from his home and was found dead in a fishing pool killed himself, an inquest heard.
William Jewkes, who was 75, was found in water in Parkes Hall Road in Dudley on November 25 by a man walking his dog.
When Mr Jewkes was found about a mile away from his home, the keen rambler was wearing a rucksack filled with roof tiles, the Black Country Coroner's Court in Oldbury was told.
His family had become concerned after Mr Jewkes, who was a warden at Upper Gornal Methodist Church, disappeared from the home he shared with his son, Matthew, on November 22.
Better known as Bill, Mr Jewkes left his car keys, watch and mobile phone at his home on Tipton Road, Sedgley, and Matthew alerted police to his disappearance that day.
An inquest at the Black Country Coroner's Court in Oldbury heard Mr Jewkes had last been seen at the church when he opened up the building for a mother and toddlers' group on the morning of November 22.
A woman at the group said he had not said goodbye before he left, which he had never failed to do before.
Friends had described their 'upset and disbelief that he could take his own life'. He had been worried about a knee operation in the future but was given the medical all clear just a day before he disappeared after he suffered a seizure earlier this year.
In evidence to senior Black Country coroner Zafar Siddique, Mr Jewkes was described as a 'keen member of the community' who regularly helped people and was a committed and practising Christian.
Mr Jewkes was found with had a black plastic comb, a key and, inside the rucksack, a black hat and glasses. But searches on the widower's laptop by police found he had looked for information on which poisons could kill humans on July 21.
Giving his condolences to his family after the 'absolutely tragic set of circumstances', Mr Siddique ruled Mr Jewkes' cause of death was suicide.
