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Margaret Good death still shrouded in mystery two years on
MYSTERY surrounds the death of a woman whose body was found in a stream after she went missing from her home at Bakers Farm Park, Upper Horsebridge.
The inquest into the death of 57-year-old Margaret Good took place on Thursday (February 25), almost two-and-a-half years after she died.
Despite a thorough investigation and inquest, it is still not known exactly how Miss Good died.
Miss Good, a cat lover, went missing from her static caravan a month after her long-term partner, Charles Dunsford, died.
His son, Anthony Dunsford, who lives in Seaford, told the inquest, "They were a very happy couple and spent all their time together. They were devoted to each other.
"She was devastated when he passed away."
Miss Good quickly became reclusive, pushing away Mr Dunsford and his wife, Karen.
Mrs and Mrs Dunsford suspect Miss Good may have stopped taking medication she was on after the sudden death of her partner.
On August 20 2007, Mrs Dunsford was called by the caretaker of Bakers Park Farm as Miss Good had locked herself inside her home and thrown the keys out through the cat flap.
When Mrs Dunsford arrived at about 6pm, Miss Good pushed past her and ignored her saying "I've got to go away" and walked off.
Mrs Dunsford went into the static caravan and saw Miss Good had left the taps running and that many of her ornaments had been broken.
The coroner, Alan Craze, said, "She was in a disturbed state."
Mrs Dunsford was concerned and reported Miss Good missing that evening.
Police carried out a thorough investigation, returning to Bakers Park Farm at various times of the day and night in the days that followed. PC Ryan Allitt called all Miss Good's friends listed in her address book and made inquiries at the nearby Budgens store and with a taxi firm she used.
He also emptied a shredder, finding Miss Good's shredded bank card, which he pieced together.
On August 29 2007, the Gazette ran an appeal for information as to Miss Good's whereabouts.
Seventeen days after Miss Good went missing, a body was found in a stream less than 200 metres from Miss Good's home.
Miss Good's coat and purse were found nearby. It is thought the body had been there some time.
Miss Good's stepson and his wife indicated that they did not believe it was suicide.
Summarising the evidence heard at the inquest, which was held at Eastbourne Coroner's Court, Mr Craze said, "I'm still left with a mystery. I can rule out foul play."
He speculated that Miss Good could have fallen into the ditch and not been able to get out but said he thought she had been close enough to habitation to call for help.
Describing the case as 'bizarre', he recorded an open verdict.
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Monday 13 February 2012
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