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After months of investigation the death of Darren Manship of Glenfield, Leicester remains somewhat of a mystery. No-one saw the events which lead to his death, however enough evidence exists for Darren to rightly claim his place among our distinguished list of Darwin Award winners.

The 33 year old was found in the hallway of his wife's house with stab wounds to his chest on 26th August 2006. Despite the efforts of paramedics and doctors at the Leicester Royal Infirmary Darren was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. A bloodstained lock-knife was found nearby, which had been purchased by Darren himself whilst holidaying in Spain.

The Police investigation followed the theory that an unknown assailant had attacked Darren. However, the Forensic Science Service could find no indication of a struggle and Leicester coroner, Martin Symington, stated that the injuries were consistent with being self-inflicted. It is not thought that Darren had committed suicide. The inquest revealed what is known about his final hours.

A friend, Robert Woolley, told police Darren had called him that night to arrange a visit to Robert's house. A mere three minutes later Darren phoned his friend again, asking him to call an ambulance. "I called 999 then drove to the house. The front door was partly open and when I pushed it further I saw Darren lying on the floor covered with blood". Robert recalls; "I kept talking to him, telling him he would be alright". The Police and paramedics arrived within minutes but it was too late to save Darren's life.

Darren was staying at the home of his wife, Dawn Almey, whilst she and their two sons were on holiday. During the inquest Dawn revealed just why our subject should go down in history as a Darwin Award candidate. She told the inquest that, as she was leaving for the holiday, she remembered him joking about whether his new jacket would be 'stab proof'.

That's right. Darren had decided to find out if his jacket could withstand a knife attack. Unfortunately for him he chose not to test his theory whilst the clothing was draped over, say, the back of a chair. No, our man decided that the best approach would be to wear the garment and attempt to stab himself, convinced that the coat would protect him just like an ancient suit of armour. Sadly for Darren his choice in sartorial outerwear proved less resilient to being prodded with a sharpened blade than he led himself to believe.

Home Office pathologist Clive Bouch said it was 'most likely' he had stabbed himself. The coroner's report records a verdict of accidental death, by 'misadventure'.

TEXT OF REFERENCED NEWS ARTICLE

18/08/2007
Laura Heighton-Ginns

After months of investigation, the tragic death of Darren Manship on Faire Road remains a mystery. Darren was found with fatal stab wounds to his chest on August 26th last year. A blood-stained lock-knife, which he had bought on holiday in Spain, was found nearby.

Whilst Philip Field, from the Forensic Science Service, said 'There was no indication of a struggle', and Leicester coroner Martin Symington indicated that Darren himself had inflicted his injuries, the father of two is believed not to have committed suicide. Darren's brother Gary said 'The whole thing is just a complete mystery'.

The inquest, held at Leicester Town Hall last month, revealed what is known about what happened in the hours leading up to Darren's death.

Robert Woolley told police how Darren had called him shortly before midnight to arrange to cycle round to see him, but phoned again only three minutes later asking his friend to call him an ambulance. 'I called 999 then drove to the house. The front door was partly open and when I pushed it further I saw Darren lying on the floor covered with blood'. Robert recalls; 'I kept talking to him, telling him he would be alright'.

Minutes later police and paramedics arrived, but Darren died shortly after midnight in Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Mr Manship was staying at the home of his wife, Dawn Almey, whilst she and their two sons were on holiday. Dawn told the inquest she remembered him joking about whether his jacket would be 'stab proof' as she was leaving for the holiday. Home office pathologist Clive Bouch said it was 'most likely' he had stabbed himself. The coroner's report records a verdict of accidental death, by 'misadventure'.

Submitted on 09/03/2007

Submitted by: Vince Warrington
Reference: http://www.thisisglenfield.com/NewsArticle.asp?id=304 (03/09/07)

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Thanks, Vince! While the actual incident tends to be somewhat common, your write-up reads like a Sherlock Holmes tale! I will nominate this one because of the great write-up and follow-up information!

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I like the irony of this one so I will vote Darwin. Thanks for sending it Vince.

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I like the irony too. This is a keeper. Thanks, Vince!

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