A father-of-six found dead on the shores of Lough Neagh in January 2008 was likely to have been drowned two months earlier, a coroner has found.
Michael Gerard Hampson, 53 - known as Gerard - of Northland Road in Derry was found on January 9 2008 in the lough close to Toomebridge.
Coroner Joe McCrisken found he was likely to have been drowned by others in the Moyola River in late 2007.
Delivering findings in Omagh Court house on Wednesday following an inquest, Mr McCrisken said there are a great many improbabilities, inconsistencies and impossibilities surrounding Mr Hampson’s death.
“I find it highly improbable that Gerard Hampson died by natural causes, suicide or accident,” he told the inquest.
“It seems to be the truth must be that Mr Hampson died as a result of the actions of a third party or persons.
“I am satisfied on balance that Mr Hampson died as a result of drowning, probably on the Moyola River on November 30 2007.”
Mr McCrisken paid tribute to Mr Hampson’s family for their patience, adding they had waited too long for inquest findings.
