Charley Gadd Wiki
Charley Gadd Biography
Who was Charley Gadd?
A college student who was found dead after a month-long search by police had run away from his parents in a prank turned tragic, an inquest has heard.
Film student Charley Gadd, 20, was found in the River Irwell in Salford, Manchester, on January 10 this year.
He had been out for a night with parents Jolyon and Kimberley Gadd at The Warehouse Project in Manchester city center on December 11 last year, but then ran away from them.
His father, Jolyon, said that he had already run away from them once that night as a joke.
He said: ‘I went after him, running a couple of blocks. He fell and I picked him up.
“He found it very funny that I was out of shape and we went arm in arm. Then we went to get him something to eat, but he ran away again.
Mr Gadd was last seen by his family near the Spar Store in St Mary’s Gate, Manchester at around 1:10am on December 11.
CCTV footage
CCTV footage showed him outside Manchester’s Royal Exchange theatre, heading towards St Anne Street, just before 1:15am.
He was later seen in a small car park at the rear of the Alberton House apartment block, which overlooks the River Irwell.
Gadd was seen crossing the parking lot, which had a steep drop off to the River Irwell. He was not seen leaving.
Giving evidence at Stockport Coroner’s Court, Police Coroner David Wood, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “It would have been impossible to know that there was water under the car park.”
Investigation
Police carried out a “serious investigation” with a major search effort throughout the city center after she was reported missing. Then they discovered his body.
PCO Wood was present on January 10 when another officer identified Mr. Gadd using identification and a bank card that he found in his wallet.
The court heard how the consulting pathologist, Dr. Andrew Yates, performed a post-mortem examination and said that he could see signs consistent with Mr. Gadd being submerged in water for a long time.
A toxicologist report showed that he had some alcohol present in his body.
Chief coroner Alison Mutch told her parents: “There was nothing they could do to change what happened, it’s one of those tragic accidents that life sometimes brings.”
She said from what she knew of Mr. Gadd that he seemed to be ‘charming’ and told them: ‘He clearly burned very brightly at the time he was part of his family and always will be part of his family. ‘
Police carried out a “serious investigation” with a major search effort throughout the city center after she was reported missing. Then they discovered his body.
Summarizing the tragedy, she said: “This is a very, very sad situation, particularly for Charley’s family who have lost a beloved son and a beloved brother.” It is clear that Charley was a very intelligent young man with a very bright future ahead of him.
He was very close to his parents, who had a very loving relationship, had music in common and had been to various music venues together, including Wembley, Brighton and then Manchester in December.
“It is clear that on the night in question, Charley was playing and ran away and unfortunately became completely disoriented in a city he was not familiar with.” I can only imagine the anguish his parents felt that night looking for Charley and wondering what the hell to do.
Mr. Gadd, from Sudbury, Suffolk, was a student at the University of Essex.
Mrs Mutch went on to say that unfortunately the evidence showed that Mr Gadd had gotten into the River Irwell and once he was in the water it was impossible to get out.
She said: ‘At that time of year it would have been very difficult to go out. I am satisfied that it was a complete accident that occurred due to a series of bad luck.
“The parking lot was dark and he would have been able to see the bright lights on the other side, but he would have had no idea there was a river between him and the bright lights.”
Mrs. Mutch expressed her deepest condolences to her parents and the rest of her family, including her siblings.
She said that although she had consumed alcohol, he was not at a toxic or fatal level.
“I record that Charley died as a result of drowning and I record his death as an accidental death,” she added.
Her father added: “He packed a lot into a tragically short life.” He was very proud of him. He couldn’t have been more proud.
