Man stabbed himself to death trying to split frozen burgers with a knife

A man accidentally stabbed himself while trying to separate two frozen burgers with a kitchen knife.

Barry Griffiths, 57, died at home in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, Wales after accidentally stabbing himself in the stomach – but his body wasn’t found for several days.

He was eventually found fully clothed on his bed in his supported accommodation flat, where he lived alone.

Barry, who had restricted use of one arm following a stroke, had left a trail of blood in the hallway, bathroom and bedroom.

Detective chief inspector Jonathan Rees told Pontypridd coroner’s court on Monday: ‘My thought process favoured the wound had been caused by an accident solely involving Mr Griffiths. 

‘The bottom drawer of the freezer had been left open and pulled forward in a position to access food items.

‘On the work surface in the kitchen adjacent to the fridge freezer were two uncooked burgers, a knife and a tea towel.

‘The wound to the abdomen would have been approximately the height of the work surface. My hypothesis at that stage was that Mr Griffiths was attempting to separate frozen burgers using a knife.’

Concerns had been raised about Barry’s welfare after he had not been seen for more than a week, the Western Telegraph reported.

Detective Sergeant Stephen Vaughan was satisfied that his death was not suicide but ‘more of an unexplained death’.

There was no indication that he had been assaulted, he told the inquest.

Area coroner Patricia Morgan concluded that Mr Griffiths most likely died from an accident while preparing frozen food for cooking. 

She said: ‘I appreciate the evidence is difficult to hear and traumatic.

‘Thank you for your patience while the investigation was ongoing. I express my condolences at this difficult time.’

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