Amy Parry reported her husband Ed missing after returning home to their house in Seasalter, near Whitstable, and finding no trace of him
A mum has recalled the horrifying moment she found her “missing” husband’s body just days after he was killed in a freak garden accident.
Amy Parry, who had been married to her husband for 17 years, reported Ed missing after returning home to their house in Seasalter, near Whitstable, on April 21, 2025, and finding no trace of him.
The mum-of-two had been looking with the police to try and find Ed, but to no avail. It wasn’t until two days later, on April 23, that Amy discovered her husband’s body behind the shed after being led by the family dog.
“To find him behind the shed was a complete and utter shock,” she told KentOnline. “I never thought for one second he was on the property.
“I only found him because one of my dogs kept going behind the back there, and then it just dawned on me. I think I’m still in shock. I feel like I’m talking about someone in a film.”
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An inquest heard Mr Parry, a 54-year-old plumber and musician, suffered a catastrophic wound to his left wrist while carrying out gardening work with a handheld chainsaw.
Mrs Parry, 44, told how her nightmare began when she returned home at about 4.30pm on April 21 after taking her eldest son Frederick, 18, to Ashford.
She found her younger son Ralph, 13, alone at home, but no sign of her husband. The mum recalled: “It was just a normal day – a bank holiday Monday. I came home, his wallet and everything were here.
“No cars were gone. The dogs weren’t gone. He wasn’t answering his phone. It was literally like he’d been abducted. It was bizarre from the start. It didn’t add up at all.”
Mrs Parry reported her husband missing at 8.19pm and police arrived four hours later, assessing him as a medium-risk missing person.
Over the following two days, officers carried out three searches of the house, analysed CCTV and checked his financial records – discovering only that he had visited a Best One shop in Faversham to buy dog food and tobacco.
Mrs Parry explained that he had been doing some work in the neighbour’s garden that day.
The neighbour confirmed this, but despite further police enquiries, his whereabouts remained unknown.
It was not until 5pm on April 23 that Mrs Parry, already on the phone to 999, ran outside to officers carrying out door-to-door enquiries, saying she had found her husband’s body wedged between the shed and fence panels.
Coroner Sarah Clarke confirmed there was “evidence of gardening jobs being completed” and in the same area was a handheld chainsaw, which “could be seen to have blood-staining”.
A police investigation confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement, and toxicology tests found no substances of concern in Mr Parry’s system.
After reviewing the evidence, Coroner Clarke was confident Mr Parry did not intend to take his own life.
At the inquest in Maidstone on Wednesday, coroner Sarah Clarke confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances and ruled the death accidental.
She said no notes of intent were found, he had no previous incidents of self-harm or suicide attempts, he had a successful business, and his finances were in order.
Mrs Parry said: “They were probably the worst two days of my life because he didn’t have mental health problems, but you then analyse everything. I thought maybe he was really depressed and I didn’t realise.”
She said the dad-of-two “lived for music” and was the lead guitarist in local band The Laziathons, which has since said it cannot continue without him. She added he was “really, really talented” and “extremely likeable”.
“We met when I was working at a lettings agency in Canterbury,” she explained. “It was my first day, and he was doing a gas certificate on one of the properties.
“He said, if you make me a cup of tea, I can give you a lift home. He was quite forward like that. His love of life was family and his music. We’re gutted, but Ed would want us to carry on.
“He was just a really good guy. He was really liked. I never came across anyone who didn’t like Ed. He was extremely likeable, extremely friendly. He was kind.”
Recording a conclusion of accidental death, the coroner said: “I hope that the record and recording of the inquest will help with explaining things to Ed’s children in the future.”Mrs Parry raised concerns about the police investigation and the failure of officers to find her husband sooner, leaving her to eventually discover his body herself. “It should have been taken more seriously from the get-go,” she said.
“I made it very, very clear from the outset that this wasn’t like Ed at all. We got an apology, but it wasn’t that great, really.
“They searched next door. If they’d just looked over the fence, they would have seen him. There were a lot of things that were missed. But they’ve told me that they’ve put better measures in place.”
Kent Police conducted a review into its efforts to find Mr Parry following concerns raised by the family.
Chief Superintendent Rob Marsh said: “Edward Parry was reported missing from Whitstable on Monday, April 21, 2025 and enquiries to find him were carried out, including physical searches of the area, as well as CCTV and financial checks. His body was sadly found on April 23.
“Following concerns raised by his family, a comprehensive review into the search for Mr Parry was undertaken. The findings established officers were professional, helpful, and provided regular updates to the family throughout, however it was found the extent of the initial search at this property could have been broader and further learning has been identified.
“As a result, changes have been made to missing person searches including additional supervision. The findings of the review have been shared with Mr Parry’s family. The force has also apologised and its thoughts remain with them following their loss.”