Man missing for 11 months found dead in cemetery - metres from where he was last seen

A man whose disappearance sparked police appeals was found dead 11 months later. The body of Malachy Doherty was discovered by a cemetery worker on March 30 this year.

By that time, it was approaching a year since the 39-year-old was last seen alive, on May 7, 2022. He was seen leaving his home in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, heading towards the town's cemetery.

He was with an Alsatian puppy and seen walking without any shoes on, Stoke-on-Trent Live reports. Police issued a public appeal to find him nine days later, before renewing the appeal on June 23 last year.

READ MORE: 'They were working morning, noon and night - they had no option but to plead guilty'

READ MORE: Greater Manchester weather forecast borough-by-borough as heavy rain set to batter region

It was on the anniversary of his sister's death and a relative had stopped him taking his own life. A police search of Tunstall Cemetery had failed to find Mr Doherty.

His body was discovered by a cemetery worker 11 months later on March 30, metres away from his cousin's grave. Now an inquest has delivered an unascertained verdict.

The cause of Mr Doherty's death was recorded as asphyxiation by hanging. In a statement, Staffordshire Police stated: "He could not be located. He didn't have a bank account or a mobile phone on him at the time.

"A member of the grounds staff found the body. It was not visible to the many people who used the cemetery. There was well-established evergreen foliage that didn't change throughout the year. It was completely obscured."

North Staffordshire assistant coroner Nicholas Walker said: "He was reported missing on May 7, 2022. He had attempted to hang himself. He left without shoes on. It's believed he was heading for the cemetery.

"