A missing man was found dead after a gruesome freak accident involving frozen food.
In June 2023, Barry Griffiths, from Wales in the United Kingdom, passed away after accidentally knifing himself while separating frozen burgers, the Western Telegraph reported.
Authorities were called to the Griffiths' home in his first-floor apartment in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, after concerns that he had not been seen for over a week.
However, what was supposed to be a casual welfare check turned into the gruesome discovery of a dead body when police broke down the door and discovered the 57-year-old on the floor of his home, with pools of blood trailing his kitchen, hallway, and bedroom.
Griffiths was found lying on his bed, fully clothed, with a gory injury to his stomach.
His phone, wallet, and computer remained where they were supposed to be and there were no signs of forced entry into the building.
After further investigation, it was confirmed that the man had died due to blood loss via a sharp force injury.
Griffiths had allegedly been trying to separate the frozen burgers with a knife when he stabbed himself in the stomach, as revealed during an inquest earlier this year.
Patricia Morgan, a coroner had added that he had previously suffered from a stroke which led to a reduced mobility in one of his arms that could have potentially led to this accident.
Griffiths' body remained in his apartment for several days after his death with Morgan noting that he "[had a] relatively private life with limited contact with others," which was why it took over a week for police to conduct a wellness check, as per Fox News.
Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Rees, who was the senior investigator assigned to the case, reviewed all the evidence before giving his verdict.
"My thought process favored 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," Rees said at the time of the inquest. "On the work surface in the kitchen adjacent to the fridge freezer were two uncooked burgers, a knife, and a tea towel."
He also added: "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."
The officers working on the case expressed their condolences to the family, stating that it was a "traumatic" experience to have to re-live the way their loved one had died.
"I appreciate the evidence is difficult to hear and traumatic," Morgan said. "Thank you for your patience while the investigation was ongoing. I express my condolences at this difficult time."
Our thoughts continue to go out to anybody impacted by this tragedy.
