‘Murdered’ dog walker, 54, found dead by her family after suffering ‘violent or unnatural death’, inquest told

Tragic Discovery: Woman’s Mysterious Death Unfolds During Dog Walk

In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded during a routine dog walk, a woman’s life was abruptly cut short, leaving her family in shock. Claire Knights, aged 54, was reported missing after she disappeared while walking her beloved white and brown spaniel, Zebulon, in Upstreet, near Canterbury in Kent, on August 23.

A sense of urgency gripped the authorities as Claire’s silver Suzuki car was found parked in the vicinity of St Nicholas At Wade. Fears escalated as time passed, and a high-risk missing person search was initiated. Tragically, after an anxious two-day wait, Claire’s family made a grim discovery: her lifeless body was found face down near Minnis Bay in Thanet.

The circumstances surrounding Claire’s demise have prompted the police to regard it as suspicious, leading to the launch of a murder investigation. An initial post-mortem examination revealed that Claire’s cause of death was attributed to blunt force injury and drowning. The seriousness of the situation was echoed by Coroner Catherine Wood, who deemed the nature of her death as “violent or unnatural.” As investigators delve deeper, further efforts to unravel the truth are in progress.

The inquest into Claire’s untimely passing has been temporarily adjourned to facilitate the ongoing criminal inquiry. During this time, the mystery of her final moments remains at the forefront of attention. It is believed that Claire embarked on a walk from St Nicholas At Wade to Minnis Bay, with several witnesses having spotted her along the way. Adding to the puzzle, her faithful spaniel, Zebulon, was found wandering alone on the beach by the police on that fateful August 23.

As the events surrounding Claire’s disappearance and death unfold, a man in his 20s was taken into custody on suspicion of murder the day before her body was discovered. Presently, he is undergoing evaluation by medical professionals. The unsettling circumstances have cast a shadow of sorrow and uncertainty, underscoring the need for answers in the wake of this tragic incident.