Man, 67, found on hillside died of hypothermia

A MISSING pensioner died in “harsh” weather conditions, an inquest has heard.

Maldwyn Miles, 67, was last sighted near the Brecon Mountain Railway at Pant on February 22 after taking a bus to Merthyr Tydfil the day before.

Mr Miles, from Barry, originally grew up in Merthyr but had only recently returned to the area before his death.

At the inquest, which was held at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court yesterday, the hearing was told he was last seen by his daughter, Rebecca Miles, on February 21 following an “altercation”.

Miss Miles, who lived with her father in Winston Road, then reported him missing the following day.

Giving evidence at the inquest, PC Ricky Bennett said: “Mr Miles was last seen at the address on Wednesday, February 21, and had an altercation with Rebecca.

“Rebecca said Mr Miles usually did this and would return on his own accord.

“But Mr Miles did not return. He was reported missing.

“Mr Miles was born in Merthyr and had family in the local area but had not seen or heard from them for years.”

The court heard it was believed Mr Miles wanted to go back to the area to try to reconnect with some of his family.

He had visited the area with his daughter prior to his death.

PC Bennett told the court officers discovered Mr Miles had travelled from Cardiff to Merthyr by bus after he was last seen by his daughter.

He was later sighted by a passer-by near the Brecon Mountain Railway.

PC Bennett said officers started to investigate the area and later discovered his body in March following a period of bad weather.

“We carried out a further search,” he added.

“The police helicopter was used and on March 13 a body was seen from the air.”

At the inquest assistant coroner Sarah Richards read out a statement on behalf of Miss Miles, who was not present at the hearing.

She explained she has lived in Barry all her life and said she did “not know much” about her father’s childhood.

But she said Mr Miles had previously spent time working at Hoover.

The statement read: “I had a little argument with my father.

“We argued over neighbours who were causing problems.

“I reported him missing on February 22. I believe he had dementia. He was very confused but he was refusing any medication.

“Recently dad had travelled to the Merthyr Tydfil area as he was originally from the area.

“On February 9 we travelled to the area but he did not know where he was so we went straight home.

“He was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1990. “He did not have many close friends.” Ms Richards also read evidence on behalf of pathologist Dr Jason Shannon who gave the medical cause of death as hypothermia.

The coroner summarised the inquest by offering a narrative conclusion.

Ms Richards said: “Mr Miles was 67 years old and suffered from schizophrenia and depression.

“He was reported missing and his body was found on a hillside some weeks later.

“I am going to record a narrative conclusion and I will record that this was the death of a man known to suffer in mental health due to the exposure of harsh weather conditions.”