A post-mortem examination carried out on the body of the police chief found on Snowdon found no signs of trauma from a jump or a fall.
Greater Manchester Chief Constable Michael Todd: no obvious cause of death
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Michael Todd’s remains were found buried by snow on a sloping path near Bwlch Glas, the col where the popular Pyg Track meets the Snowdon Mountain Railway. A bottle of gin was found near the body.
Toxicology tests will now be carried out to find out if any drink or drugs were present in Mr Todd’s body. Coroner Dewi Pritchard-Jones said he hoped to have the result of these tests by tomorrow. Alcohol is known to increase the effects of hypothermia. Mr Pritchard-Jones, coroner for north-west Wales, said there was ‘no obvious cause of death’. An inquest will open tomorrow.
Suicide is a still being investigated as a possible cause of the policeman’s death after it emerged he sent a series of worrying text messages to various people. Colleagues have also reported receiving anguished phone calls from Mr Todd. A search was mounted after these were received. Initially, the search involved a lifeboat and coastguards in the Menai Strait after triangulation of his mobile phone signals suggested this was his location. The search switched to Snowdon after walkers on the mountain found his personal effects.
There has been much speculation in the British and foreign press about Mr Todd’s private life. He was married with three children. His family lived in Nottinghamshire, where he previously worked.
Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Acting Chief Constable Dave Whatton spent the day with his late colleague’s family. Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: “Whilst GMP’s loss of our chief constable is incredibly painful it cannot match the pain and suffering that his family face. It is appropriate today that Dave [Whatton] has chosen to spend the day with Michael’s family.
“Despite his considerable skill as a leader, people are right when they say of Michael that he was never happier than when he was out on the street with his people. Only a few weeks ago he was grappling with drunks in the city centre and was full of excitement for the terrific work he saw our staff carrying out.
“The most compelling thing I will always remember about Michael as a leader was the support he gave to officers and their families who were hurt or injured in their duty or in some cases paid the ultimate price. They were never official duties they were always personal.”
There have been numerous tributes to Mr Todd, including ones from the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, the Greater Manchester Police Lesbian and Gay Staff Affiliation, the National Association of Muslim Police, Greater Manchester Police Federation, GMP Superintendents’ Association and Paul Murphy, chair of the Greater Manchester Police Authority.
See also
Police chief's body found on Snowdon
musings
12 March 2008"Just going out for a walk" --- [smiley=think] Is that what Dr. Kelly said? I guess those Brits just like their fresh air, especially when they have been involved in dark dealings with their governments. Going out in the fresh air to clear their heads. To forget what they know -- forever. Another non-suicide I should think. Eventually the serial killer slips up and his MO is no good anymore. The last guy was back in 2003. Anyone know Manchester? I happen to have been there the same summer Kelly disappeared (though not anywhere near Manchester). There is a huge Pakistani population (brought to man the cloth mills during WWII), as well as hotels operated by types from the Arabian peninsula. When I was there, an African entourage showed up (why on earth???) with what looked like a harem. There is a big gay scene. Very little to do for middle class white types who are straight. There is something dodgy about the place, the very sort of environment where a policeman gets paid for keeping mum. Maybe the policeman wanted more money.
ALan Kyder
12 March 2008shades of David Kelly-it just isn't safe to go into the countryside on your own without CCTV
Andrew Milner
13 March 2008Another one bites the dust.[smiley=think]
Call Me Dave
13 March 2008Just like Robin Cook, too. And Mr Todd was supposed to be replacing that useless git Sir Ian Blair as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Maybe he would not be as accommodating? Perhaps there's another False Flag Terror Op like 7/7 on the way?
setfree69
13 March 2008http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CedMHfv-JK8 Hi I just posted a video about this, why is none of the media telling you that this guy led the investigation into the CIA Torture flights? More censorship like the "Bhutto: Bin Laden Murdered" video that the BBC censored
Inside Job
13 March 2008Looks like Bush & Blair did some housecleaning! This chap knew too much about CIA "extraordinary renditions."[smiley=evil]
taco smell
13 March 2008another murder to coverup the torturing and killing of innocent people in acts of war crimes
Dion Per Sona
13 March 2008He did not fall, he was not pushed: It looks as though this man was bushed: The signal from the ink-dark Strait Shows his phone was used as bait.
dragnet
13 March 2008right on Dave, my thoughts exactly
rich
13 March 2008Stinks of government complicity to me. Yet another suicide by someone who knew too much. Right on about the white wash in the "media" reagarding his investigations into rendition. This is murder pure and simple.
steve
24 August 2009I spend pretty much every weekend camping in the area he aparantly fell/jumped. take it from me its an imossible fall/jump!
he was almost certainly dropped from a police helecoptor after they silenced him. Oh and not to mention the huge smear campaign by the press (all with a similar Mantra).
They had already printed the story before his body was removed from the mountain!