A Nottinghamshire farmer strangled his 82-year-old father after a "blazing row" over money and buried him in a shallow grave at the family farm before taking his own life, an inquest has heard.
Charles Wright, 52, killed Brian Wright at Hall Farm near Newark in Nottinghamshire. Nottingham Coroner's Court was told that, in a voice message left for police, Charles said his father was "thinking of replacing him" and "giving the lion's share of the farm to another family member".
Row over farm and finances
In the message, sent on November 22, Charles said: "I just had a flash of red and after 25 years and everything I have given him, he was just cutting me out like that. I just saw red, dragged him out of the car and throttled him."
The inquest heard that during the heated argument, Brian had called Charles "useless" and "not capable of farming" and said it was a "mistake to let him farm that land".
Investigation and discovery
Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of Nottinghamshire Police, told the court of the voice message: "Charles stated that he had killed his father and intended to kill himself. He described that his father Brian had criticised him and there had been a disagreement about finances. He stated he had buried his father Brian on the family farm."
Brian was reported missing shortly before midnight on November 20 after failing to take his wife to a hospital appointment. The next day, Charles, his brother James Wright and a colleague who worked on the farm as a mechanic spoke to police officers.
DCI Burrow said Charles, who was interviewed the day before he took his own life, "was able to assist by describing difficult family dynamics and difficulties in relationships over the years, including issues around finances and also working arrangements on the farm". She added: "We had a number of interactions with Charles."
Deaths ruled unlawful killing and suicide
Charles told police his father had "left in the opposite direction after the small argument". On November 21, Brian's vehicle was reported as appearing "out of place" where it had been left overnight, and his body was discovered buried on the farm four days later. His cause of death was found to be pressure applied to the neck.
Ms Burrow said there had been a report on November 22 of "a collision between a vehicle and two gentlemen", where the vehicle was driven at them "apparently deliberately". Charles drove his vehicle at his brother James, who was running alongside a friend, "causing injury". Charles Wright took his own life later that same day, with his body discovered in an outbuilding area on Hall Farm.
Senior coroner for Nottinghamshire Mairin Casey ruled that Brian Wright had been unlawfully killed, while his son's death was concluded to be suicide. Addressing family members present in person and those joining via video-link, she said: "The horror of this, I'm clear in my mind, will have affected all of those who have survived in a very deep and painful way."
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