Missing student's body part identification prompts inquest
SCIENTIFIC advances in DNA testing have just confirmed a body part discovered 20 years ago did belong to a missing Gloucestershire student.
Technological progress since 1993, when the severed foot was found in the River Severn, had now identified it as the remains of Graham Maxwell Rogers, 26.
A spokesman for the Gloucestershrie coroner said the foot and a shoe were found on the flood defences near Lydney on November 7, 1993.
At the time he vanished Mr Rogers lived with his parents in Wotton-under-Edge.
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"This was forensically examined in 1994 for DNA with a negative result," he said.
"However in December 2012 it was re-submitted for DNA. Due to the advances in the DNA technology an identification was made," the spokesman said.
Gloucestershire's assistant deputy coroner Katy Skerrett opened an inquest into his death on February 14 this year. The hearing was told Mr Rogers was a student at Lancaster University. He had been reported missing on April 10, 1993.
Mr Rogers' car was found nine days later in Chepstow at the confluence of the River Wye and River Severn. The cause of his death was unascertained and an open verdict was recorded.
Comments
by FreeRadical1
Friday, February 22 2013, 4:51PM
“At least his parents now know that he is dead, even if they don't know the circumstances.
What is it with severed feet in the River Severn, though? There was another one found at Deerhurst four years ago.”