Coroner: Death of UK spy may never be explained

[May 02, 2012]  LONDON (AP) -- A coroner says the mysterious death of a British spy whose naked body was found inside a locked sports bag may never be solved.

Coroner Fiona Wilcox said Wednesday that it is unlikely the death of 31-year-old Gareth Williams would "ever be satisfactorily explained" as she began delivering an inquest verdict.

Williams worked for Britain's secret eavesdropping service GCHQ but was attached to the MI6 overseas spy agency when his remains were found in August 2010 at his London apartment, in the bag and inside a bathtub.

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LONDON (AP) -- A coroner says she is considering her verdict on the mysterious death of a British spy whose naked body was found inside a locked sports bag.

But Fiona Wilcox said Wednesday she couldn't give a ruling of unlawful killing -- despite a plea from the man's family to reach that conclusion.

Gareth Williams, 31, worked for Britain's secret eavesdropping service GCHQ but was attached to the MI6 overseas spy agency when his decomposing remains were found in August 2010 at his London apartment.

Wilcox said she planned to offer a so-called "narrative verdict" -- an option available when there isn't clear evidence of natural causes, suicide or unlawful killing.

Police have made no arrests, but say at least one other person must have been involved in the death.

[Associated Press]

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