A FATHER who died from a shotgun wound to the head could have been killed accidently, an inquest has heard.

An open verdict has been recorded for the death of David Myles, of The Street, Lackford, near Bury St Edmunds.

Yesterday’s inquest into the 77-year-old’s death heard how he was found in land he owned at Icklingham Road, West Stow, near Bury, on the evening of May 22. Mr Myles, who held a shotgun licence, had been suffering from the late stages of cancer.

Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean said it remained a possibility that he may have gone to this area with the intention of taking his own life given the severity of his illness, but he could not rule out that his death was accidental. He said: “I cannot absolutely rule out the accidental discharge [of the firearm] in these circumstances.”

The inquest heard how Mr Myles’ son Jeremy and a neighbour of the deceased had grown concerned about his welfare and whereabouts on the day of his death. Following a search of the local area he was found lying at the rear of a Volkswagen motor vehicle with a shotgun beside him. He was pronounced dead there at about 9.05pm.

The inquest heard Mr Myles senior had been “feeling low of late because of the illness”.

Sheila Gray, who knew him, had spoken to him at the piece of land that day and he had told her about his plans for the following day. Police have ruled out suspicious circumstances.

The cause of death was given as a shotgun injury to the head with prostate carcinoma cited as a contributory factor.

Trudy Evagora, daughter of Mr Myles Sr, said her father’s death was “totally unexpected” and the family were in shock.