Independent : Criminal charges a 'real possibility' in investigation into death of ‘unhappy’ spy Gareth Williams

Criminal charges a 'real possibility' in investigation into death of ‘unhappy’ spy Gareth Williams

John Hall | April 23, 2012

The inquest into the death of an 'unhappy' spy, whose body was found locked inside a sports holdall just a week before he was due to leave his job, today heard how police may still bring criminal charges in the ongoing investigation.

Gareth Williams, originally from Holyhead in Wales, had been due to leave London and return to the Government’s Communications Headquarters in Gloucestershire just a week after his naked, decomposing body was found crammed inside the padlocked bag on August 25 2010.

Williams, a 31-year-old codebreaker who begun his university studies while at secondary school, graduating from Bangor University with a first class degree in Mathematics aged 17, had requested to leave London because he hated the “rat race” and the “flash car competitions”, his sister Ceri Subbe told the inquest.

In her statement, Ms Subbe said her brother “disliked office culture, post-work drinks, flash car competitions and the rat race. He even spoke of friction in the office.”

She added: “The job was not quite what he expected. He encountered more red tape than he was comfortable with.”

Ms Subbe spoke after Metropolitan Police barrister Vincent Williams said criminal charges over Gareth Williams’ death were still a “real possibility”.

Lawyers for Scotland Yard tried to block the coroner from releasing to the media video footage which could be key to a prosecution.

He warned that a “careful line must be struck between open justice” at the inquest and the ongoing criminal investigation.

Explaining their objection to some material going into the public domain, a lawyer for Scotland Yard said: “It is because there is a live complex ongoing investigation taking place.”

The inquest heard how Williams had failed to turn up for an MI6 meeting on August 16 2010, a matter Ms Subbe raised with one of his colleagues.

Ms Subbe said: ”He is very conscientious. The person I spoke to agreed, and said Gareth was like a Swiss clock - very punctual, very efficient, and it was very unlike him not to attend a meeting.“

Although he was supposed to be on a three-year secondment in London, Williams’ bosses agreed for him leave on September 1 2010.

Ms Subbe accused MI6 of “dragging their feet” in approving his request to return to GCHQ, which was originally made in April 2010.

Asked about £20,000 of women's clothes found in Williams' flat after he died, she said it was ”not particularly“ surprising, adding their presence was ”possibly as a gift“.

Williams' sister said her brother was ”the most scrupulous risk-assessor“ she had ever known.

She said Williams, a keen cyclist, fell runner and mountaineer, and passionate about art, music and fashion, would turn back a few hundred yards from the summit of mountains if there was ”the hint of adverse weather conditions“.”Better to be safe than sorry,“ she added.

Ms Subbe said her brother never told her he was being followed or felt threatened in any way, adding: ”I cannot think as to why anybody would want to harm him.“

She said he was a private, very tidy man who never talked about his work.

This Is London : Heartbreak and conspiracy theories in home village of the spy-in-the bag

Heartbreak and conspiracy theories in home village of the spy-in-the bag

‘This is David Kelly all over again — a cover-up. There was no evidence... It doesn’t add up’ -- Schoolfriend David Jones

Kiran Randhawa | April 20, 2012

The inhabitants of Holyhead and surrounding villages are well-versed in the various theories about Gareth Williams’s mysterious death.

One thing they — as well as those closer to him — are resigned to, however, is never knowing the truth.

Friends of the MI6 spy, who grew up in the remote Welsh outpost, said they fear he will become “another victim” of a “cover-up” by British authorities, likening his death to that of weapons expert David Kelly.

They are less than optimistic that next week’s inquest, or any other exhaustive inquiry, will yield answers to bring his family some sense of peace.

Since their son’s body was found crammed into a sports bag, Ian and Ellen Williams have withdrawn from the local community. Mr Williams, a keen runner who was often out jogging prior to the tragedy, is rarely seen. But it appears that the electrical engineer, who works at the local Wylfa nuclear power station, is coping better than his wife.

Mrs Williams rarely leaves the modest family bungalow in the village of Valley and has not worked since her son’s death.

Gareth Williams’s elder sister Ceri Subbe, a married physiotherapist who lives in Chester, was described by friends as “sensitive” and “badly damaged” by his death. She is among 30 witnesses, including MI6 officers, due to give evidence at the inquest.

Mr Williams’s grandfather John Owen, who lives locally and recently had heart surgery, was “traumatised” by the tragedy. Trefor Lloyd Hughes, 64, a councillor and close friend of the family said: “They are such kind people. This has shocked them to the core. They really are suffering.”

Building company boss Keith Thompson, 64, a cycling friend of Gareth Williams from Trearddur Bay, said: “We would like to hear the truth next week but we won’t get it. This will be another David Kelly. It’s a cover-up and I believe it is possible our secret services were involved.”

Mr Thompson used to run Holyhead Cycling Club and had known the GCHQ codebreaker since he was 14, when he joined. Mr Williams, from a “very athletic” family, excelled at the sport. “The family is devastated,” said Mr Thompson. “His mother in particular has taken it badly. Her life is ruined. It has hit her the hardest. They were all very close. They tell you that they are just living and coping day by day. I don’t think the family will ever get justice or peace.”

He said he last saw Mr Williams in May 2010, three months before his death, when he returned home for a cycle race.

David Jones, 31, who went to school with Mr Williams, said: “This is David Kelly all over again. A cover-up. There was no evidence at the scene, it just doesn’t add up.”

Mr Williams was considered a child prodigy by the locals. He did his A-levels at 14 and went to study maths at Bangor University at 15. After graduating with a first at 17, he studied for a PhD in computer science at the University of Manchester, going on to Cambridge for a postgraduate certificate in advanced maths before GCHQ approached him in 2001. He was on secondment to MI6 when police found him dead at his Pimlico flat in August 2010.

At a pre-inquest hearing last month, the family’s lawyer Anthony O’Toole said there was a “high probability” a third person was in the flat when Mr Williams died. “The unknown third party was a member of some agency specialising in the dark arts of the secret services, and perhaps evidence was removed from the scene post mortem by an expert in those dark arts.”

Evening Standard : Body-in-bag spy's family demand answers from inquest 18 months on

Body-in-bag spy's family demand answers from inquest 18 months on

Kiran Randhawa | February 20, 2012

The family of an MI6 spy found dead in a sports bag are demanding that they are finally told what happened to him.

The badly decomposed body of Gareth Williams, 31, was found 18 months ago in a holdall in the bath of his flat in Pimlico. Although a series of toxicology tests was performed to determine what caused his death, it still remains unexplained.

A pre-inquest review into the case will be held on March 29 at Westminster coroner's court, and a full inquest is expected to begin three weeks later.

Mr Williams's family hope a blanket of secrecy over the case will finally be lifted.
Trefor Lloyd Hughes, a friend of the family, told the Standard: "They need to know what happened to Gareth. I hope we finally get some real answers.

"Let's hope the family can gain some solace at last. They have been in the dark for so long and have no idea what happened to their son.

"They need answers to end their agony. I have no doubt some higher influences will be involved here which may stop certain information from getting through, but I would say the family need peace."

Mr Hughes, 64, a councillor and retired ambulance worker from Holyhead, Anglesey, lived across the road from Mr Williams's parents Ian and Ellen for several years. Their sons grew up together and he remains a good friend of the family.

He added: "It's taken so long for this inquest to come along. I will be really disappointed if further information comes out years down the line that didn't come out during this inquest.

"It will be hard for his parents to go through it, but we are all hoping this will be the end. You do get annoyed they have had to wait this long though. It's absolutely disgraceful."

As many as 40 of Mr Williams's colleagues from GCHQ and MI6 are expected to give evidence at the inquest, although their testimony is likely to be heard in secret to protect their identities.

Police found the cycling enthusiast's naked body zipped and padlocked in a red North Face holdall on August 23 2010 at his flat less than a mile from MI6's headquarters in Vauxhall. There were no signs of a struggle.

The property was used by MI6 as a safe house. Mr Williams, a GCHQ codebreaker on secondment, had not been at work for several days.

Manchester Wired : MI6 officer Gareth Williams death: couple 'untraceable'

MI6 officer Gareth Williams death: couple 'untraceable'

February 15, 2011

A couple sought in connection with the death of an MI6 officer may never be traced, police have conceded.

Gareth Williams, 31, from Holyhead on Anglesey, north Wales, was found dead in a padlocked holdall in his central London flat in August.

The death remains suspicious and unexplained with no cause found.

Westminster Coroner's Court heard it was unlikely that a Mediterranean couple seen at his flats before he died would be traced.

Det Ch Insp Jackie Sebire also disclosed that more forensic tests were being carried out.

Some 40 officers working for the intelligence services have been now interviewed by detectives investigating the death.

They have been questioned by Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command - even though the inquiry is being led by a separate team specialising in homicide.

The inquest was adjourned until 31 March.

Mr Williams, a gifted mathematician, graduated with a first class degree in maths at just 17.

He began work at the Government Communications Headquarters in Cheltenham before being seconded to MI6.

BBC : MI6 officer Gareth Williams death: couple 'untraceable'

BBC main: MI6 officer Gareth Williams death: couple 'untraceable'
BBC mobile: MI6 officer Gareth Williams death: couple 'untraceable'

February 15, 2011

A couple sought in connection with the death of an MI6 officer may never be traced, police have conceded.

Gareth Williams, 31, from Holyhead on Anglesey, north Wales, was found dead in a padlocked holdall in his central London flat in August.

The death remains suspicious and unexplained with no cause found.

Westminster Coroner's Court heard it was unlikely that a Mediterranean couple seen at his flats before he died would be traced.

Det Ch Insp Jackie Sebire also disclosed that more forensic tests were being carried out.

Some 40 officers working for the intelligence services have been now interviewed by detectives investigating the death.

They have been questioned by Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command - even though the inquiry is being led by a separate team specialising in homicide.

The inquest was adjourned until 31 March.

Mr Williams, a gifted mathematician, graduated with a first class degree in maths at just 17.

He began work at the Government Communications Headquarters in Cheltenham before being seconded to MI6.

The News [Pakistan] : Dead MI6 spy Gareth Williams ‘visited bondage websites’

Dead MI6 spy Gareth Williams ‘visited bondage websites’

December 23, 2010

LONDON: An MI6 spy found dead in a padlocked holdall in his central London flat had accessed bondage websites several times, police have revealed.

Gareth Williams, 31, from Holyhead on Anglesey, had also visited a drag show and owned £15,000 worth of women’s designer clothing, detectives said.

Mr Williams’ naked body was found at his Pimlico flat in August. Police believe other people helped the MI6 codebreaker to get into the holdall and want to speak to them. Officers have released e-fit images of a couple who they said visited Mr Williams’ Alderney Street home in June or July.

Det Ch Insp Jackie Sebire said: “We remain completely open-minded about how he died. “We are appealing today to someone who is out there to come forward and tell us more.” Police revealed Mr Williams viewed websites showing people bound and tied, which included do-it-yourself guides.

The two e-fit images issued by police show a casually-dressed couple of Mediterranean appearance, thought to be in their 20s, who were buzzed through the communal entrance of his home by another resident in late June or July.

News Wales : Two wanted in MI6 death mystery

Two wanted in MI6 death mystery

December 22, 2010

Police today released e-fit images of a couple they want to interview about the mysterious death of the Welsh-born MI6 code breaker Gareth Williams, whose body was found inside a padlocked holdall in his Pimlico flat on August 23.

Detectives revealed that Mr Williams, 31, from Holyhead, had visited a drag show and owned £15,000 worth of women's designer clothing. He had viewed websites showing people bound and tied, which included do-it-yourself guides.

They believe other people helped him to get into the holdall and want to speak to them.

The two e-fit images issued by police show a casually-dressed couple of Mediterranean appearance, thought to be in their 20s, who were buzzed through the communal entrance of his home by another resident in late June or July.

Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Sebire,who is heading the inquiry into his death, said she was convinced someone else helped to put him there after an expert brought in to examine the holdall concluded he could not have locked it himself.

DCI Sebire said police had forensic evidence that other people were in the flat, whom they have not been able to trace.

Maths genius

Raised in Holyhead and a fluent Welsh speaker, Mr Williams studied at Cambridge University – one of the traditional recruiting grounds for the British secret services.

He excelled at maths, embarking on a postgraduate certificate in advanced studies in mathematics at St Catharine's College in 2000.

The course is described as "demanding" and normally only accepts students with first-class degrees in physics, mathematics or engineering. But he dropped out after a year and began a career working for the secret services.

Mr Williams was a keen cyclist and tributes have been left to him on cycling forums. A friend who knew him when they rode for Holyhead Cycling Club, wrote: "He was a maths genius. People sometimes thought he was dense because he spoke rather slowly and sometimes seemed distracted.

"How wrong can you get. A pretty quick junior, and a very nice quietly-spoken young man. RIP Gareth."

BBC : Talented MI6 spy Gareth Williams 'never spoke of work'

Talented MI6 spy Gareth Williams 'never spoke of work'

December 22, 2010

An MI6 spy who was found dead in his central London flat was a talented young man who was close to his family, but would never speak to them about his work.

Gareth Williams, 31, from Holyhead on Anglesey, north Wales, was found dead in a padlocked holdall in his central London flat in August.

The death remains suspicious and unexplained with no conclusive cause found.

Mr Williams regularly went home to north Wales to visit his family.

His parents, Ian and Ellen, live in Valley, Anglesey, while his father works at Wylfa nuclear power station. His grandmother and grandfather lived in Holyhead.

His uncle, William Hughes, said his nephew had never spoken about his work.

"He was very, very talented," he added.

"He would never talk about his work and the family knew not to ask really."

Mr Williams' academic talent was evident at an early age, when he was a pupil at Bodedern Secondary School in Anglesey.

His maths teacher Geraint Williams said he had been an "exceptional" pupil.

'Very modest'

"He was probably not the best mathematician I have seen, but the best logician," he said.

"If you explained something once, he remembered it, you didn't have to explain it again."

While he was a secondary school pupil, Mr Williams was also being coached at Bangor University and graduated with a first class degree in maths at just 17.

In 2000, he took a postgraduate certificate in mathematics at St Catharine's College, Cambridge.

He was then offered a job at the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham.

"It didn't surprise me at all that he was very interested in codes and ciphers," Geraint Williams said.

"It didn't really surprise me that he was recruited by GCHQ."

Mr Williams worked as a communication officer at GCHQ before being sent on secondment to MI6 for a year.

The head of MI6 Sir John Sawers described Mr Williams as a "highly talented person" who was "very modest and generous as well".

He added that Mr Williams had done "really valuable work with us in the cause of national security".

Mr Williams grew up as a keen cyclist and joined Holyhead Cycling Club when he was 17.

Keith Thompson, from the club, said: "He was a really lovely young man.

"We were club mates but Gareth wasn't the sort to go to the pub after a race, so he didn't have any close friends in the group.

"It was his cycling that we knew about. He was known for being very good on hill races but a couple of times he won the club's 'best all-rounder' award."

An inquest will be held at Westminster Coroner's Court on 15 February.

Metro : FBI 'joins investigation' into MI6 worker's body in a bag death

FBI 'joins investigation' into MI6 worker's body in a bag death

September 25, 2010

The FBI has joined the investigation into the mysterious death of MI6 code breaker Gareth Williams, according to a report.

Mr Williams's body was discovered inside a sports bag in the bath at his London home on August 23rd, triggering a high-profile police operation.
MI6 worker Gareth Williams was laid to rest on Friday (PA) MI6 worker Gareth Williams was laid to rest on Friday (PA)

Despite the efforts of police officers and pathologists, it is still unclear how the 31-year-old died and his funeral took place on Friday with his family in the dark about the circumstances that led to his passing.

Reports on Saturday suggested the police have finally ruled out the possibility he died alone, having previously considered whether he may have climbed into the bag by himself as part of a sex game.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, police are now focusing their attention on the hunt for a couple of Mediterranean appearance who are believed to have visited Mr Williams during the summer.

The newspaper claims that British investigators have asked the FBI for help, as Mr Williams made regular trips to the US after spending time on secondment with the National Security Agency, including one less than a fortnight before his body was found.

FBI officers are said to have searched a flat used by the MI6 worker in the US, as well as using facial recognition software to study airport CCTV tapes and questioning baggage handlers.

It is thought that investigators on both sides of the Atlantic have concluded that Mr Williams's death had nothing to do with espionage.

His funeral in Holyhead was attended by Sir John Sawers, the head of MI6, who praised the valuable work undertaken by Mr Williams during his time with the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ.

Daily Star : MURDERED MI6 SPOOK GARETH WILLIAMS BURIED

MURDERED MI6 SPOOK GARETH WILLIAMS BURIED

By Daily Star Reporter | September 25, 2010

The funeral of MI6 spy Gareth Williams was held in his home town in Angelsey yesterday.

The codebreaker’s naked body was found zipped into a padlocked holdall in the bathroom of his London flat last month.

Metropolitan Police are still investigating his “complex” and “unexplained” death.

Hundreds gathered at the Bethel Chapel in Holyhead to pay tribute to the 31-year-old, who was described as a “quiet but happy person”. Mr Williams’ parents, Ellen and Ian were supported at the service by their daughter Ceri, 28.

Among the mourners were the Head of MI6, Sir John Sawers, and colleagues from GCHQ, the Government’s base in Cheltenham, and the Secret Intelligence Service.

His former headteacher Islwyn Williams, of Ysgol Morswyn primary school, also paid tribute to him.

Mirror : Head of MI6 joins mourners at the funeral of murdered spy Gareth Williams

Head of MI6 joins mourners at the funeral of murdered spy Gareth Williams

By Paul Byrne | September 25, 2010

The head of MI6 joined mourners at the funeral of murdered spy Gareth Williams yesterday.

Sir John Sawers took his place in the 115-year-old church with friends and family. But other security service colleagues were ushered in through a back door to protect their identities.

Mr Williams ' parents, Ellen and Ian, arrived with his sister Ceri, 28. Gareth, 31, was on secondment from GCHQ in Cheltenham, when he was found dead last month inside a padlocked holdall in his London flat. Two postmortems were inconclusive and police are still investigating.

Outside the small chapel in Holyhead, Anglesey, North Wales, Sir John said: "It has been a desperately sad period for the family since Gareth died.

"I wanted to be here as the only public face of the Secret Intelligence Service. He did really valuable work with us in the cause of national security."

Mirror : A SPY'S GOODBYE

A SPY'S GOODBYE

By Paul Byrne | September 25, 2010

The head of MI6 joined mourners at the funeral of murdered spy Gareth Williams yesterday.

Sir John Sawers took his place in the 115-year-old church with friends and family. But other security service colleagues were ushered in through a back door to protect their identities.

Mr Williams' parents, Ellen and Ian, arrived with his sister Ceri, 28. Gareth, 31, was on secondment from GCHQ in Cheltenham, when he was found dead last month inside a padlocked holdall in his London flat. Two postmortems were inconclusive and police are still investigating.

Outside the small chapel in Holyhead, Anglesey, North Wales, Sir John said: "It has been a desperately sad period for the family since Gareth died.

"I wanted to be here as the only public face of the Secret Intelligence Service. He did really valuable work with us in the cause of national security."

Daily Post : Funeral of Anglesey MI6 code-breaker Gareth Williams

Funeral of Anglesey MI6 code-breaker Gareth Williams

by Owen R Hughes, Daily Post | September 25, 2010

TRIBUTES were paid to MI6 code-breaker Gareth Williams as he was laid to rest on Anglesey.

More than 150 family, friends and colleagues including MI6 head Sir John Sawers silently entered Bethel Chapel in Holyhead to pay their final respects.

The 31-year-old spy’s body was discovered trapped in a padlocked North Face holdall placed in the bath of his flat in Pimlico, London in August.

Mystery surrounds the death of the maths genius from Valley and police continue to investigate.

Yesterday his tearful relatives clutched each other for support as they followed his wreath and tribute covered coffin into the Baptist Chapel led by his dad Ian, mum Ellen, and sister Ceri.

Ceri’s husband Chris Subbe paid tribute to Gareth inside the chapel, describing him as a “source of joy” for his family.

He went on to talk about meeting Gareth with Ceri at the Ritz Hotel in June, where they spent the afternoon laughing and joking.

He said: “The world was ours for the taking, yet here I am three months later, to the day, trying to describe your rich life with my poor words.”

He added that Gareth had always provided subtle and thoughtful conversation.

“He was unbelievably gifted but remained so modest and humble, he was a source of joy to his family,” he added.

The service was led by Rev John Rice Rowlands and a second tribute was also read out by Gareth’s former headteacher at Ysgol Gynradd Morswyn, Islwyn Williams.

He remembered the former pupil’s brilliance for maths which saw him attain GCSE at the age of 10.

Mourners sang Bread of Heaven and Craig yr Oesoedd, which was written by Samuel Jonathan Griffith (Morswyn), whom Gareth’s former primary school was named after.

After leaving the chapel his body was taken for burial at Ynys Wen Cemetery, Valley.

Outside the chapel MI6 head Sir John added his own tribute to Gareth.

He said: “My deepest sympathies go to the family. Gareth was a hugely talented person and he was very modest and generous as well. He did really valuable work with us in the cause of national security.”

Mr Williams worked as a communications officer at GCHQ in Cheltenham, but had been living in London after a secondment to the secret intelligence service.

He was due to return to Cheltenham a week after his body was found, after being in London for a year.

The Metropolitan Police have described the inquiry into his death as “complex”.

Fitness mad Gareth had excelled at school and graduated from Bangor University with a First Class mathematics degree at the age of 19.

Donations in his memory received at the funeral were given to Llanberis, Aberglaslyn and Ogwen Mountain rescue.

Express : MYSTERY OF DEAD SPY’S LOCKED FLAT

MYSTERY OF DEAD SPY’S LOCKED FLAT

By Chris Riches | September 25, 2010

THE MI6 spy whose naked body was found padlocked in a holdall did not die alone, detectives confirmed last night.

Police have still not ruled out the possibility that Gareth Williams, 31, died as the result of a sex game that went wrong.

But in an extra twist to the bizarre circumstances surrounding his death last month, it was revealed that the door to Mr Williams’s central London flat was locked from the outside when detectives arrived.

Yesterday the head of MI6 praised Mr Williams when he attended the funeral of the codebreaker.

Sir John Sawers said the maths genius had helped save lives. After the service in Holyhead, Anglesey, he said: “Gareth did very valuable work in the cause of national security. I wanted to be here as the only public face of the Secret Intelligence Service, to give support and offer sympathy to the family.”

About 200 mourners, led by Gareth’s parents Ian and Ellen and sister Ceri, gathered for the service.

Gareth, who worked for GCHQ at Cheltenham, Gloucs, was living in London on secondment to MI6.

Canadian Press : Head of MI6 attends funeral of British spy whose body was found in bag in his bathtub

Head of MI6 attends funeral of British spy whose body was found in bag in his bathtub

By The Associated Press (CP) | September 24, 2010

LONDON — The head of Britain's MI6 spy agency has attended the funeral of an intelligence officer whose body was found inside a padlocked sports bag.

The 31-year-old code-breaker Gareth Williams was found dead last month inside his London apartment. He worked for the eavesdropping agency GCHQ, and was on secondment to the foreign spy service, known as MI6, when he died.

His death sparked speculation and theories ranging from assassination to a sex game gone wrong. Police say only that it remains unexplained.

Williams was laid to rest Friday in his home town of Holyhead, north Wales.

MI6 chief John Sawers paid tribute to Williams for doing "really valuable work with us in the cause of national security."

Copyright © 2010 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

UKPA : Funeral of MI6 man found dead in bag

Funeral of MI6 man found dead in bag

September 24, 2010

The funeral of MI6 code-breaker Gareth Williams, whose body was found in London, is to take place.

The 31-year-old's naked body was found padlocked shut in a holdall in a bath at his London flat on August 23.

Scotland Yard is treating his death as "unexplained".

He died while on secondment to the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) from his work at Government Communications HQ (GCHQ) in Cheltenham.

The public funeral will be held at 1pm at the Bethel Chapel, Holyhead, Anglesey.

Mr Williams's parents, Ian and Ellen, asked for donations in the keen cyclist's memory to go to their local mountain rescue service.

Copyright © 2010 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

Daily Post : Funeral for MI6 code breaker from Anglesey

Funeral for MI6 code breaker from Anglesey

by Dan Beavan, Daily Post | September 22, 2010

THE funeral of MI6 code breaker Gareth Williams, who was found dead in a sports bag in his London flat, will take place this Friday.

The 31-year-old’s unclothed body was found in a holdall in the bathroom of his Pimlico home by police on August 23.

Metropolitan Police are still investigating the "unexplained" death of Mr Williams, who came from Valley on Anglesey.

The family yesterday announced that his funeral will be held at Bethel Chapel in Holyhead on Friday at 1pm. He will then be laid to rest at Ynys Wen Cemetery, Valley.

Mr Williams worked as a communication officer at GCHQ in Cheltenham, but had been living in London after a secondment to the secret intelligence service.

He was due to return to Cheltenham a week after his body was found, after being in London for a year.

The Metropolitan Police have described the inquiry into his death as "complex".

An inquest was opened at Westminster Coroner’s Court earlier this month. It revealed his body was found in a zipped and padlocked red North Face holdall, which was in an empty bath in the en-suite bathroom.

There had been no forced entry into his flat and no property was missing.

Earlier this month the investigating team released CCTV images of Mr Williams, captured on August 14 and 15 in London.

Tributes have been paid locally to the fitness mad MI6 worker who had excelled at school and graduated from Bangor University with a First Class mathematics degree at the age of 19.

Donations in his memory received at the funeral will be given to Llanberis, Aberglaslyn and Ogwen Mountain rescue.

Independent : Funeral date for MI6 man found dead in bag

Funeral date for MI6 man found dead in bag

By Mike Hornby, PA | September 22, 2010

The funeral of MI6 code-breaker Gareth Williams will take place on Friday.

The 31-year-old's naked body was found padlocked shut in a holdall in a bath at his London flat on August 23.

Scotland Yard is treating his death as "unexplained".

In a death notice in the North Wales Daily Post, his family announced that the public funeral will take place at 1pm on Friday at the Bethel Chapel, Holyhead, Anglesey.

The notice went on to pay tribute to Mr Williams, saying he was the "beloved" son of Ellen and Ian and the "adored brother and best friend" of sister Ceri and her husband Chris.

The family of Mr Williams, a keen sportsman, has asked for donations to the local Mountain Rescue Service in his memory.

UKPA : Funeral date for MI6 man found dead in bag

Funeral date for MI6 man found dead in bag

September 22, 2010

The funeral of MI6 code-breaker Gareth Williams, whose body was found in London, will take place on Friday.

The 31-year-old's naked body was found padlocked shut in a holdall in a bath at his flat on August 23.

Scotland Yard is treating his death as "unexplained".

In a death notice in the North Wales Daily Post, his family announced that the public funeral will take place at 1pm on Friday at the Bethel Chapel, Holyhead, Anglesey.

The notice went on to pay tribute to Mr Williams, saying he was the "beloved" son of Ellen and Ian and the "adored brother and best friend" of sister Ceri and her husband Chris.

The family of Mr Williams, a keen sportsman, has asked for donations to the local Mountain Rescue Service in his memory.

Copyright © 2010 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

UK Wired : Anglesey funeral for MI6 worker Gareth Williams

Anglesey funeral for MI6 worker Gareth Williams

September 21, 2010

The funeral of MI6 worker Gareth Wyn Williams who was found dead in his central London flat is to take place on Anglesey.

His unclothed body was found in a bag in a the bathroom of his Pimlico home by police on 23 August.

The funeral of the 31-year-old from Valley on the island will be held at Bethel Chapel in Holyhead on Friday.

Metropolitan Police are still investigating the "unexplained" death.

Mr Williams worked as a communication officer at GCHQ in Cheltenham, but had been living in London after a secondment to the secret intelligence service.

The Metropolitan Police have described the inquiry into his death as "complex".

A post mortem examination was unable to confirm a cause of death.

His body was found in a zipped and padlocked red North Face holdall, which was in an empty bath in the ensuite bathroom.

There had been no forced entry into his flat and no property was missing, officers said.

Earlier this month the investigating team released CCTV images of Mr Williams, captured on 14 and 15 August in London.

A newspaper announcement said the public funeral service for Mr Williams at 1300 BST will be followed by burial at at Valley where he was from.

Donations in his memory will be given to the Llanberis, Aberglasglyn and Ogwen Mournain rescue services.