Open verdict over man in suitcase

Heather Wardle's body was found two days before her son

An open verdict has been recorded at an inquest on a man whose body was found in a suitcase.

James Hughes, 21, was found at his home in Redditch, Worcestershire, in April, less than 48 hours after his mother, Heather Wardle, was found hanged.

Social services were alerted to worries about his health four months earlier, the Stourport-on-Severn inquest heard.

He was judged to have had "significant" weight loss while in respite care in November last year, the court was told.

'No control'

It also emerged that Mr Hughes' natural father, Paul, was apparently "fobbed off with excuses" by Ms Wardle as to why he could not see his son from last December until April this year.

Worcestershire deputy coroner Margaret Barnard expressed regret that questions surrounding the death of Mr Hughes, who was severely disabled, remained unanswered.

"There is in my view a paucity of conclusive evidence," she said.

Speaking after the verdict, Mr Hughes said he was disappointed.

"I believe that my son was a victim of neglect and a series of circumstances over which I had no control," he said.

"It would have only taken one telephone call, not from his mother but from those who held overall control.

"Those who were in a position of trust and who were ultimately responsible for enforcing the procedures which should have safeguarded my son."