Mystery death of man found on East Peston beach

The body of David Oakes, 64, a retired senior health inspector from Rogate Close, Durrington, was found on a stretch of seafront known as South Walk, near Tamarisk Way.

The grim discovery was made by off-duty police officer James Brotherhood, as he walked his dog on the morning of December 1, last year.

Speaking at Thursday's inquest at Worthing Town Hall, coroner's officer Karen Wallis read out information supplied by Barbara Oakes, 63, wife of the deceased.

She said Mr Oakes had retired from his job 12 years previously due to ill health and had suffered from stress and depression.

Physically healthy, Mr Oakes had not visited a doctor for 10 years prior to developing a rash on his arms last November.

Mrs Oakes said her husband became "obsessed" he was seriously ill after researching the condition on the internet.

Tests revealed the rash was not serious, however, and it soon went away.

Days later, he claimed he had attempted suicide, a statement his wife doubted.

On the evening of November 30, Mr Oakes left his home and failed to return, prompting Mrs Oakes to gather friends and search the local area.

She identified her husband's body the following day.

Mrs Oakes said she was "very shocked" by her husband's death and couldn't understand how he had got to East Preston from Worthing.

She said the couple had made plans for the new year and her husband had arranged a trip to Cheltenham races with their son.

Mrs Wallis told the inquest police had confirmed they were not treating the death as suspicious and a post mortem examination had found the cause of death to be drowning.

Concluding, coroner Roger Stone said the circumstances were "not at all clear" and recorded an open verdict.