Naked 'Bear Grylls' fanatic found dead in freezing field with clothes 800 metres away

The body of a " fanatic was found completely naked in a field around half-a-mile away from his clothes, an has heard.. Aaron Luke Davies, 31, frozen corpse was discovered by a farmer who owned the land in Llandrindod Wells back in January 2023.

An inquest into his death was held at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court on Wednesday, where the court heard how the family was concerned there had been a third party involved in his because his card was used days after his passing. However, the coroner rejected any third party involvement. The court was also given details about Aaron's life, with him being described as a "Bear Grylls" character who enjoyed living in the great outdoors.

However, Aaron also had a number of personal struggles, including schizophrenia and autism. Presiding Coroner Graeme Hughes read a statement issued by his father, which read: “[His] life went downhill significantly following a family break up [which led] to a serious mental breakdown. He preferred to be homeless and free, wandering mountains with no [regard] to his safety."

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Adding fuel to the fire of his delicate mental health, Aaron would often use illicit drugs to "self medicate", his devastated father said. The statement continued: "It was a dreadful mistake to leave in the early hours in temperatures below -10. He could never have survived."

The farmer who discovered his body, Matthew Powell, described the conditions of the remote field as "extremely cold" and said that some had settled on the ground. Due to the remoteness of the area, he'd never had issues with trespassers. He said it was clear that Mr Davies was deceased and so he called the police. He added that he had last visited the site around three days earlier and had not noticed the body that time, reports.

Giving oral evidence detective inspector Christine Beaton told the inquest an “extensive” investigation was launched by following the discovery of Mr Davies. She said a number of theories were explored from the outset, including the possibility that Mr Davies had been assaulted and/or moved to the location.

She said items of clothing later confirmed to have been worn by Mr Davies were discovered between 600 and 800 metres from the body. It was heard how this included three hoodies, a t-shirt, shoes and socks.

During her evidence family members of Mr Davies raised that they found it unusual that the socks had been placed inside the shoes, since it was something “he never did”. They added that they found it strange that his t-shirt was placed under the hoodies, rather than on top.

Continuing her evidence DI Beaton said officers found evidence that Mr Davies’ bank card had been used twice on January 25, 2023. She said following this a person was arrested on suspicion of theft and cautioned, but said that Mr Davies always gave him access to his bank card. Officers could not prove theft and so no further action was taken. She added: “He was not able to help with how [Mr Davies] came about his death.”

Representing the family Graham Goodwill explored the idea of possible gang involvement associated with Mr Davies’ death. However, DI Beaten said the evidence did not point to this.

Pathologist Dawn Reed gave oral evidence, having tested a sample of Mr Davies’ blood. She said a number of substances were present including 102 micrograms (mg) of amphetamine, 8.9mg of norketamine (a by product of ketamine), as well as therapeutic levels of anti-psychotic medications haloperidol and olanzapine.

She said the substance most likely to be significant was amphetamine. She said the amount found in Mr Davies’ system was associated with recreational use, but was also at the lower end of doses associated with amphetamine-related deaths. However, she said it was hard to tell if this directly caused Mr Davies’ death, particularly as blood levels can be skewed by changes in the body after death.

Consultant forensic pathologist Edward John Williams gave his medical cause of death as: “Hypothermia in a man who had used amphetamine.” This was later clarified by the coroner as 1A: Features consistent with hypothermia and 2: Amphetamine use as a contributory factor

Dr Williams explained that on examination there was no evidence of traumatic injury, or either external or internal injuries to the neck. He noted multiple areas of abrasions, as well as superficial skin loss on the hands consistent with handling barbed wire.

He also noted a number of physical signs which led him to believe Mr Davies may have suffered from hypothermia. The theory also offered an explanation as to why Mr Davies was naked. He said: “Processes in the brain can lead to a person removing their clothing even though it is very cold.” He said this is a known phenomenon called "paradoxical undressing”.

Summing up his findings the coroner said the amphetamine had likely “hampered” Mr Davies’ ability to assess his surroundings in “extremely cold ”. He said this likely compromised his decision making resulting in him removing his clothes and exposing himself to the elements.

He accepted it was most likely that Mr Davies’ clothes were found away from his body due to “paradoxical undressing” associated with hypothermia. Mr Hughes continued: “The evidence does not allow me to be precise as to when [Mr Davies] died. All I can find is that he likely died after January 19, 2023…it is more likely his death occurred after January 20.”

He said he had heard no evidence as to how Mr Davies ended up at the location other than by his own means, likely by walking there. He said: “There is ample evidence before the court that he would walk in remote areas without due regard to his safety.”

Mr Hughes rejected any suggestion that third party involvement was likely. He reduced this notion to being no more than “speculation”. He further confirmed he had no evidence that Mr Davies was restrained, assaulted or his body interfered with. He said: “I find that [Mr Davies] is more likely to have died where he was found than elsewhere.”

He gave a narrative conclusion that Mr Davies died from hypothermia having likely collapsed in an extremely cold field while under the influence of illicit drugs.