Sky : Spy inquest hears DNA found

Spy inquest hears DNA found

April 24, 2012

A senior detective has revealed at an inquest that small "components" of another person's DNA were found on the padlocked bag containing the body of MI6 codebreaker Gareth Williams.

The spy's naked and decomposing body was found in a holdall in the bath of his home in Pimlico, central London, on August 23, 2010.

On the second day of evidence at Westminster Coroner's Court, a police video of the crime scene was shown - which included footage of the bag in the flat.

DCI Jackie Sebire gave details to the inquest about the investigation into Mr Williams' death and the forensic evidence found at the scene.

The codebreaker was found lying on his back inside the red North Face bag, with his legs folded up to his chest.

She said it was believed the codebreaker did not attempt to get out of the bag, as there were no signs of distress on his body or marks inside the holdall.

While weak blood stains from Mr Williams were found on the holdall's handles - "two minor components of another contributor's DNA" were found on the bag and padlock.

DCI Sebire said: "My thought or my opinion since I went into the scene is that a third party had been involved in the death or by putting the body in the bag."

The holdall had been padlocked on the outside and the inquest heard how two zip eyelets would have been drawn together before the padlock bar was slipped through both, then turned and pushed closed.

The police video of the Pimlico flat, shot the day after Mr Williams' body was found, showed it was tidy, but very sparse.

Items which can be seen inside include a bright orange wig hanging on the back of a chair in the living room, and a red T-shirt - similar to the one the spy was wearing in the last known CCTV images of him.

Video of the flat also showed a cutting from the Observer newspaper headlined "Top Five Regrets Of The Dying".

On Monday the inquest heard there was still a "real possibility" of bringing criminal charges over Mr Williams' death - as his sister revealed he had complained of "friction" at work and had become disillusioned with life in London.

The inquest continues.