A person who drowned within the River Thames simply 12 hours after being reported lacking was only deemed to be “medium threat” by Metropolitan Police.
Dulwich resident Graeme Payne, 49, was reported lacking by his household at round 9.20pm on March 12.
At 10.06pm, 46 minutes later, the lacking individual report was reviewed and assessed by a police supervisor to be “medium threat” case. As a outcome, “applicable actions” have been set and officers have been despatched to Graeme’s dwelling to go looking his property.
However, his physique was recovered from the River Thames, near Waterloo Bridge, at round 9.06am the next morning.
Graeme was named for the primary time as an inquest into his demise was opened at London Inner South Coroner’s Court on Friday (May 14).
Deputy Senior Coroner Henrietta Hill instructed the courtroom that Graeme’s final recognized deal with was Treviso Road, close to Dulwich, and confirmed he was pronounced lifeless on the financial institution of the River Thames after being pulled from the water by officers .
MyLondon’s good new e-newsletter The 12 is filled with information, views, options and opinion from throughout town.
Every day we’ll ship you a free electronic mail at round 12pm with 12 tales to maintain you entertained, knowledgeable and uplifted. It’s the proper lunchtime learn.
The MyLondon crew tells London tales for Londoners. Our 45 journalists cowl all of the information you want – from City Hall to your native streets.
Never miss a second by signing as much as The 12 e-newsletter right here.
A submit mortem examination later gave a reason for demise as drowning.
Graeme’s subsequent of kin confirmed he had been the topic of a lacking individuals enchantment and is known to have had contact with police shortly earlier than his demise, the courtroom heard.
As a outcome, the inquest was instructed an inner Metropolitan Police investigation is ongoing.
Deputy Senior Coroner Hill instructed Graeme’s household in attendance: “I’m conscious there’s an investigation occurring in the mean time into the background to Mr Payne’s demise as it’s understood he had some contact with police previous to his demise.
“It is a Met investigation. Because of that it will likely be handled as certainly one of our advanced inquests and dealt with by our advanced inquests crew.”
She notified the household that, because of the ongoing investigation, she couldn’t set a date for a full inquest. It is unlikely to happen this yr, although, the courtroom heard.
A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police mentioned: “On Friday, March 23, at 9.20pm, a 49-year-old man was reported lacking to the police.
“At 10.06pm on the identical date, the lacking individual report was reviewed and assessed as medium threat by a police supervisor. Appropriate actions have been set and the person’s dwelling deal with was searched.
“On Saturday, March 13 at 9.06am, the physique of a person was recovered from the Thames close to Waterloo Bridge.
“The demise is being handled as unexplained and non-suspicious. The man’s subsequent of kin have been knowledgeable.
“In line with coverage, the matter was referred to the IOPC. They directed the matter to be regionally investigated by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards. The investigation is ongoing.”
