A MAN was found dead at a Dorset beauty spot after going missing, an inquest heard. 

The body of James Michael Whitney, 48, was found at Old Harry Rocks on September 13.

Dorset Coroner’s Court heard in a statement from his wife Allison Whitney that on the morning of September 12, Mrs Whitney recalled making breakfast for her husband and watching him leave for work at 8.10am.

She said that was the last time she saw her husband.

In the statement provided by Mrs Whitney she said the week leading up to her husband going missing was “uneventful” and seemed “pretty normal”.

Dorset Coroner’s Court also heard in a statement from Mr Whitney’s business partner and friend, Darren Henderson, that they had been friends for 18 or 19 years.

Mr Whitney worked as an architect and started a business with Mr Henderson in 2008.

It was reported Mr Whitney was last seen at his workplace in Christchurch at around 1pm on September 12.

After he left work, Mr Henderson contacted Mrs Whitney, stating he was concerned for his  welfare.

After Mrs Whitney’s attempts to contact her husband, she contacted Dorset Police at 4.31pm.

Mr Whitney was expected to be playing football at 6pm with others; however, he did not show up.

After the location of Swanage was accessed from his phone, Mrs Whitney began to drive around and search for her husband.

His vehicle was found in a layby in Ulwell Road in Swanage at 8.34pm on September 12.

The car’s engine was cold, and his belongings were still inside, including his phone.

As reported previously by the Echo, the HM Coastguard, an NPAS helicopter and Dorset Search and Rescue were all involved in the search.

After searching through the night and the morning of September 13, a body was found near Old Harry Rocks shortly after midday.

A post-mortem examination conducted by Dr Stolte found James’ cause of death to be ‘multiple injuries’ sustained from a fall from a cliff. 

Assistant coroner for Dorset, Richard Middleton, concluded Mr Whitney died from suicide.


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