An inquest has been formally opened into the death of Paul Taylor, despite his body not yet being found.
Mr Taylor, of Annan, was aged 56 at the time he was reported missing after leaving his address in the Scottish town at around 9.45pm on October 17 last year. He is believed to have travelled to Carlisle in a blue Vauxhall Corsa just before midnight on that date.
Police launched an investigation into his disappearance, and have since charged a man with Mr Taylor’s murder.
An inquest into Mr Taylor’s death was formally opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court this morning.
“I’m opening the inquest touching and concerning the death of Paul Darren Taylor, an investigation (by the coroner’s office) into whose death was commenced on February 13 2024,” said area Cumbria coroner Kirsty Gomersal.
“There are no interested persons in court for the opening Mr Taylor’s inquest but to the best of my knowledge they have been advised today’s opening.
“Mr Taylor’s family and friends have my deepest condolences on his loss.”
Ms Gomersal said she had received information from a senior Cumbria police detective that Mr Taylor was reported as a missing person on 18th October.
“Police enquiries have led to the belief that Mr Taylor is deceased and it is a matter of common knowledge that proceedings for his murder have been commenced despite Mr Taylor’s body not being located,” stated the coroner.
Ms Gomersal said she had been granted permission to proceed to an investigation without a body under the Coroners’ and Justice Act 2009.
“The coroner’s office has also received a request from the Crown Prosecution Service to adjourn the investigation and inquest into Mr Taylor’s death due to the ongoing criminal proceedings,” Ms Gomersal stated.
Ms Gomersal formally recorded Mr Taylor’s full name, his date or birth and that he was a married man. The coroner formally suspended her investigation until the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
- A 19-year-old Carlisle man who stands accused of Mr Taylor’s murder is next due to appear in front of a judge at the city’s crown court next month. Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Pattinson had said in a statement earlier month: “We are still appealing to the public for information that will lead us to finding Paul’s body.”
