A UK man accidentally stabbed himself to death while trying to separate two frozen burgers with a knife in a freakish accident that initially left cops baffled, a court hearing into his bizarre death was told.
Barry Griffiths, 57, died after he accidentally plunged the blade into his stomach at his home in Powys, Wales, in July last year, the Western Telegraph reported.
Griffiths, who lived alone and was described as “very private,” had been dead for several days before police carried out a welfare check and found blood spattered all through his kitchen and bedroom.
His phone, wallet and computer were all untouched and there was no sign of any disturbance inside the apartment.
There was also no indication that Griffiths, who was found lying fully clothed on his bed, had been assaulted.
It wasn’t until detectives discovered the uncooked patties that they were able to determine what unfolded, the court hearing into his death was told.
“The bottom drawer of the freezer had been left open and pulled forward in a position to access food items,” Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Rees said.
“On the work surface in the kitchen adjacent to the fridge-freezer were two uncooked burgers, a knife and a tea towel,” he continued.
“The wound to the abdomen would have been approximately the height of the work surface. My hypothesis at that stage was that Mr Griffiths was attempting to separate frozen burgers using a knife.”
The medical examiner eventually ruled Griffiths — who had limited use of one arm following a stroke — most likely died from an accident and not a suicide.
