A watch dealer hanged himself in the woods the day after being the victim of a £2.8million robbery, an inquest heard.
Oliver White, 27, was working at 247 Kettles on May 25 when two men posing as customers entered the shop. CCTV footage showed one of the robbers restraining the sales manager in a chokehold while his accomplice took luxury watches in Richmond, South West London.
A post-mortem found Oliver died of suspension, Surrey Coroner’s Court heard on Monday. The brief hearing in Woking heard Oliver, of Shepperton, was pronounced dead at 9.59pm on May 26 in a wooded area.
Area coroner Simon Wickens said Oliver, whose job title was given as jewellery shop sales manager, was identified by his stepfather, Mark.
A screengrab from the brutal robbery last month (the London watch company)Coroner’s officer Adam Stewart said: “He confirms he had known Oliver for 19 years and saw him after he had died at the aforementioned woodland area on May 26.”
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Oliver’s family gave a statement to Surrey Police last week, saying: “Our son Oliver returned home on Saturday traumatised and unable to speak. He had been the victim of a terrifying attack and high-value robbery, which was later shared widely on social media.
“Sadly, it is our belief that Oliver took his own life due to the anguish and distress of this terrible incident. We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful, funny, loyal boy, who lit up every room he walked into.”
Oliver’s girlfriend Alana Dredge said: “I’ve never felt pain like this.”
In a statement, the store’s owners said Oliver “should never have been alone in the office”. It added: “The suspects targeted our store posing as potential clients across a three-day period, waiting for the correct time to strike.
“Unfortunately on Saturday the attempt succeeded in a violent robbery which Olli was the victim of.”
A man and a woman, both in their 30s, have since been arrested. The woman has been released under investigation while the man has been bailed pending further inquiries.
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