A 25-year-old soldier found dead in a river had been trapped under a boat with ropes around his body in a "violent or unnatural" death, an inquest has heard.
Charlie Saywell, described by friends as a 'true role model', was discovered in the River Medway in Chatham, Kent, at around 10:50am on Tuesday, March 5, when a worker noticed his body covered in mud. Police, paramedics, the fire service, and HM Coastguard were all called to the scene at Turks Shipyard, but the young man was already dead.
It is understood that Mr Saywell had been on a night out with friends the previous evening before getting a taxi back to his army accommodation. However, upon arriving at his barracks, it is thought Mr Saywell instead chose to walk into Chatham town centre to get food from a takeaway, sometime between 12:10am and 2:40am.
Police say that a phone conversation Mr Saywell had that night has led them to believe he may have then been assaulted after getting into an unidentified car, suffering facial injuries. Opening his inquest in Maidstone, Coroner Catherine Wood said the cause of death was drowning but it was clearly 'violent or unnatural'. The court also heard how a worker who discovered Mr Saywell saw him with rope around his torso and legs.
Mystery still surrounds what exactly happened in the leadup to the young soldier's death, with his mum Victoria Brown appealing for anyone with information to come forward. She said: "If you have witnessed my son Charlie's movements during the early hours of that morning and can offer any information, however small, please can you contact Kent Police so our family can have some answers about what happened to him."
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Det Sgt Karen Caulfield says police are looking to identify the places Mr Saywell visited prior to his death. "While we do not have specific information about where Charlie went between 12.10am and 2.40am, he had a phone conversation before his death which indicated he may have suffered an assault in the town during that period," she explained. "We are appealing to anyone who may have seen Charlie walking in the Gillingham and Chatham areas during these times."
"We are particularly keen to hear from anybody who saw him in a fast-food outlet or involved in an altercation in or near to a car. At this stage we are not treating Charlie's death as suspicious, however, it is important we understand where he visited and what happened to him prior to his tragic death."
Mr Saywell was last seen wearing a dark, navy-coloured, short-sleeved T-shirt, khaki-coloured cargo trousers, and white trainers. More than £4,000 has been raised in his memory after a fundraiser was set up by his friend Joe Leishman. It has surpassed its original goal of £1,000. The organiser wrote: "For those who did not have the privilege of knowing Charlie, he was a remarkable individual - a true role model in both stature and character.
"As a Sapper in the British Army, serving proudly as part of the Royal Engineers, Charlie exemplified dedication and service to his country. It is with great sadness that we recently lost him at the age of 25. As preparations are made for his service, I recognise the importance of honouring Charlie with the utmost respect. Any contributions toward supporting the family would be sincerely appreciated. It is the least we can do for someone who touched so many lives." The full inquest into Mr Saywell's death will be heard on June 4.
Anyone with information is being urged to call police on 01634 792209, quoting reference 46/36226/24. Drivers, residents, or businesses with private CCTV are also being asked to check for any relevant footage. People can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or by completing their online form.
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