India shooting remains a mystery

Mr Green lived with his mother Edna in Darlington

The family of a County Durham man found shot in India believe he may have been robbed before being dumped in woods.

As an inquest was opened and adjourned into the death of Darlington backpacker David Green, his elderly mother Edna said she was still trying to discover the exact circumstances of the tragedy.

Mr Green, 53, a freelance illustrator, was shot at a festival in the town of Orchha in central India earlier this month.

North Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle formally opened proceedings before adjourning the inquest pending further investigations into Mr Green's death.

Religious festival

Speaking from the home she shared with him in Knightsbridge Avenue, Mrs Green said the family were still trying to find out what happened.

"He was shot in his back and his bag was missing and that is all we know," she said.

"I think it had just been a robbery but he had nothing much in his bag."

Mrs Green said her son had been sitting at his easel painting while a religious festival took place in the town when it happened.

His body has been flown back to Britain and a post mortem examination has been carried out.

Humanist ceremony

The family were planning a humanist ceremony, in which he would be buried in a nearby conservation site in a biodegradable coffin.

Mrs Green said she had received dozens of cards from friends and well-wishers following her son's death.

Mr Green was found in woods near the central Indian town of Orchha on 15 January.

Initial reports suggested he could have been killed by a stray bullet from a poacher's gun.

But authorities in India have said they have insufficient evidence and are still investigating.

Mr Green was a regular visitor to the area and arrived for his latest trip in December.