UK inquest will give closure, widow says

The widow of a Northland man Lee Sheppard, who went missing from his London workplace six years ago, says the decision by British authorities to hold an inquest will give her closure.

Mr Sheppard vanished on the night of January 31, 2003, after turning up for work at the EMR refrigeration recycling plant.

There were no breakthroughs in the inquiry until Auckland private investigator Ron McQuilter took up the case three years ago.

He flew to London and worked alongside north London police at the Colindale station, near Mr Sheppard's workplace.

Late last year, Mr McQuilter revealed he believed Mr Sheppard had died on-site in an industrial accident.

It was possible he became unconscious, possibly from inhaling nitrogen gas, and fell into machinery.

The British government has now given permission for a formal inquest to be held into his death, but no date has been set.

Mr McQuilter plans to attend the inquest, along with Mr Sheppard's parents, Ken and Rose, and his wife Juliet, who was pregnant when he disappeared.

Juliet Sheppard said this week that closure was "in sight".

"The coroner obviously agrees there is evidence Lee died at his workplace and the inquest will confirm all details surrounding his death," she told The Northern Advocate.

She said without Mr McQuilter, the case would never have made it this far.

"British police put off the investigation for a long time but Ron cracked the case. Now it will all be made official."

EMR, along with health and safety authorities, would have the opportunity to speak at the inquest, Mrs Sheppard said.

"All details will be discussed. It will be interesting.

"I want to find out exactly what happened."

- NZPA