A man, described by his family as a “loving father,” was found dead in a river and is believed to have drowned, according to reports by Wales Online. Kyle John Vernon’s body was discovered in the Ogwr Fawr River in Ogmore Vale near Cemetery Road at approximately 8 am on December 16, 2023. The 37-year-old father of three from Ogmore Vale was last seen alive at 8:30 pm the night before his body was found. Following his tragic death, Mr. Vernon’s family paid tribute to him by calling him a “loving son, father, brother, partner, and grandson” who was well-loved and known for being a caring individual. They expressed that everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him adored him.
During the inquest at the Vale of Glamorgan Civic Offices in Barry, Assistant Coroner Rachel Knight adjourned the proceedings after the family raised concerns about the circumstances leading to Mr. Vernon’s death. The family shared information about a threatening conversation overheard by someone passing near the area where Mr. Vernon was last seen, prompting a call for further investigation by the police. Additionally, an anonymous individual contacted the family with information to be shared, which was deemed as another line of inquiry. Concerns were also raised about CCTV footage showing three cars entering an area close to where Mr. Vernon’s body was found, with the family requesting identification of the vehicles and their owners or drivers.
Detective Inspector Steven Jones from South Wales Police acknowledged the need to pursue these lines of inquiry, although challenges were faced due to unclear CCTV images. Despite setbacks, Assistant Coroner Rachel Knight decided to hold part of the hearing on Monday, emphasizing that evidence from the toxicologist and pathologist would not change. Forensic toxicologist Magdalena Gabal reported finding a small amount of alcohol and cocaine in Mr. Vernon’s blood, with indications that the cocaine might have been taken shortly before his death, consistent with recreational use.
The court also heard from forensic pathologist Dr. Richard Martin Jones, who conducted the post-mortem examination. Dr. Jones highlighted the rocky river bed where Mr. Vernon’s body was found, noting injuries consistent with an unconscious body being knocked against the river bed. He ruled out the possibility of Mr. Vernon falling from a height into the river. Dr. Jones also mentioned other findings such as tears in Mr. Vernon’s clothing, signs of drowning like hyper-inflated lungs and froth in the mouth, and the presence of water in the stomach without definitive origins. Despite determining the cause of death as drowning, Dr. Jones raised concerns about the potential impact of cocaine use on Mr. Vernon’s death.
Assistant Coroner Rachel Knight adjourned the inquest to allow the police to delve into the new leads, scheduling a continuation on March 19, 2025. The developments in the inquest shed light on the complexities surrounding Mr. Vernon’s tragic passing and underscore the importance of thoroughly investigating such cases to provide closure for the grieving family and ensure justice for the deceased.