Family of Wirral Father Found Dead on Beach Believes He Was Attacked
The family of a Wirral father, whose body was discovered on a beach in Northern Ireland two months after he vanished, suspects he was assaulted and "thrown into the water". Andrew Murphy, 47, was last seen on 29 March 2025, with his remains found on Millisle Beach in County Down on 21 May 2025.
Disappearance and Discovery
Andrew Murphy, from New Ferry, was last spotted on CCTV at a Go Local off-licence on the morning of 29 March. He had left his flat around 10:30am to buy alcohol, milk, and a fizzy drink for his daughter from a nearby Aldi on Bebington Road. His partner, Sarah Hassall, grew concerned when he failed to return after an hour, especially as she had entrusted him with her bank card.
Mr Murphy was described as a "functioning chronic alcoholic", and his morning trip to purchase alcohol was part of his daily routine. When Ms Hassall rang him, he claimed he'd bumped into some people and said, "I have to pay them money." After she urged him to get home quickly, he responded, "I can't pay them." Her subsequent calls failed to connect.
On 21 May 2025, a dog walker discovered Mr Murphy's body on Millisle Beach. His mobile phone, rucksack containing the items from Aldi, and Ms Hassall's bank card were all recovered beside him.
Inquest Findings and Family Suspicions
During an inquest at Downpatrick Courthouse on 27 February 2026, forensic pathologist Dr Hugo Haller-Shannon revealed he conducted a post-mortem on 22 May 2025. Due to advanced decomposition, establishing a definitive cause of death was impossible. He noted there was nothing to exclude third-party involvement, but equally nothing to indicate it.
Dr Haller-Shannon explained that drowning characteristics vanish shortly after death, making it impossible to determine if Mr Murphy drowned. The examination revealed a severe accumulation of fatty plaque in his coronary artery, causing approximately 70% narrowing, which could have triggered a heart attack upon entering the water. A toxicology report showed only traces of cannabis, with uncertainty about alcohol consumption at the time of death.
Mr Murphy's sister, Karen Amirlatifi, queried the pathologist about Andrew's missing front teeth and broken nose. Dr Haller-Shannon confirmed these injuries and acknowledged that a blow to the face during a confrontation "cannot be ruled out", but suggested the injuries could have occurred while crossing the Irish Sea.
Ms Hassall speculated that Mr Murphy encountered individuals who consumed alcohol on a bench near the River Mersey, based on his comment about paying money. She believes, "they have beaten him and thrown him into the water". However, at the time, she thought he might have been indulging in a "weekend blow-out" ahead of his scheduled rehab admission three days later.
Police Involvement and Coroner's Conclusions
PSNI Detective Constable Walker attended the scene after the discovery and explained that identification was made through items found on Mr Murphy and fingerprint analysis, in conjunction with Merseyside Police's missing persons appeal.
Coroner Joe McCrisken concluded he is satisfied Mr Murphy entered the River Mersey, with his remains washing up at Millisle. He noted he "cannot exclude" three potential scenarios: involvement of another party, cardiac arrest, or a tragic accident. The cause of death was ruled "unascertained".
Given the family's strong belief that another party was involved, Coroner McCrisken will pass his conclusions to the local coroner in Merseyside and Merseyside Police for further review.
