A soldier found dead in a river suffered a 'violent or unnatural' death trapped under a boat with ropes around his body, an inquest has heard.
Charlie Saywell, 25, described by friends as a 'true role model', was discovered in the River Medway in Chatham, Kent, just before 11am on 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.
Opening an inquest today, 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.
Mr Saywell had been on a night out with friends the previous evening before getting a taxi back to his army accommodation.
But after arriving at his barracks it is thought Mr Saywell walked into Chatham town centre to get food from a takeaway, sometime between 12:10am and 2:40am.
'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 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.
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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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Charlie Saywell, 25, described by friends as a 'true role model', was discovered in the River Medway in Chatham, Kent, just before 11am on 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.
Opening an inquest today, 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.
Mr Saywell had been on a night out with friends the previous evening before getting a taxi back to his army accommodation.
But after arriving at his barracks it is thought Mr Saywell walked into Chatham town centre to get food from a takeaway, sometime between 12:10am and 2:40am.
'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 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.
[…]
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.
Soldier, 25, found dead in a river after a night out with friends
A coroner looking into the drowning of Charlie Saywell said his death was it was clearly 'violent or unnatural'. He was last seen in Chatham, Kent.
