Caleb Carter

Caleb Carter was a game keeper and was shot in Chase Woods, Kenilworth.

He was found in a ditch having been shot in the back of the head.

However, it was not clear whether he was killed deliberately or accidently as it was determined that he was not killed by a bullet but by shots, possibly by someone shooting rabbits.

He was a gamekeeper on the Earl of Clarendons estate but had not been carrying a gun at the time.

His brother had left him around 8.20pm on the Saturday night at the corner of Hazelwood and shortly after heard the report of a gun.

The police said that there were no signs of a struggle near the spot where his body was found and that he had 10 sovereigns still in his belt and a gold watch with him that had stopped at 2.25. Neither did they find any evidence to connect anyone to the killing.

The medical evidence stated that his death was due to a gun shot in the nape of the neck at the back of the skull and ear. One shot was found in the brain and there were from 40 to 45 shot marks within the space of nine inches.

A farm labourer said he was shooting rabbits at the spot where his body was found and that he had heard shots about the time he was supposed to have been shot but saw no one.

An open verdict was returned at his inquest.

He was soon to be married.