INQUEST INTO SHOP OWNER’S DEATH
A MAN was found dead in the outbuilding behind his shop, an inquest heard. Stuart Sloan, 50, from Aberdare, was found dead in an outbuilding behind the Sloan & Co shop in Llantwit Major, pictured, on July 17, after being reported missing that day.
A MAN was found dead in the outbuilding behind his shop, a coroner has heard.
Stuart Sloan, 50, was found dead in an outbuilding behind the Sloan & Co shop in Llantwit Major on July 17, after being reported missing that day.
Officers attended the property before discovering the body.
An inquest opening held on Friday at Pontypridd Coroner’s Office into Mr Sloan’s death heard how a provisional cause of death was given as asphyxia.
The hearing heard how Mr Sloan, whose home address was given as Aberdare, was reported missing on July 17 after attempts to contact him failed.
Officers attended his shop before discovering the body in an outbuilding behind. A cordon was put in place around the women’s clothing store.
Officers are continuing their investigation into the death – which they are treating as “unexplained”.
While detectives have not given out any further details, they confirmed they had previously visited Sloan&Co a week before Mr Sloan’s tragic demise.
A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said: “On the afternoon of Saturday, July 10, officers attended a retail premises in Llantwit Major to perform a welfare check.”
The store temporarily closed after police’s visit that day, and windows were covered, but it later re-opened towards the end of the week before Mr Sloan died.
The store’s Facebook page now lists the business as being “permanently closed”.
Although an official tribute to Mr Sloan has yet to be issued, he has been described by locals as a well liked local businessman who had made several charitable donations over the years. His shop was described as a “staple of the precinct” – and had been there since 1988 after it was established by his mother Carol.
Assistant coroner Sarah Richards adjourned the hearing until February 2023.