A MAN was found dead at a Dorset beauty spot after going missing, an inquest heard. 

James Michael Whitney, 48, was located near Old Harry’s Rocks on September 13.

Dorset Coroner’s Court heard in a statement from Allison Whitney, James’ wife that her husband loved to socialise with his friends and loved DIY projects.

She also said she always called him Jim.

On the morning of September 12, Mrs Whitney recalled making breakfast for her husband and watching him leave for work at 8.10am.

She said that was the last time she saw her husband.

In the statement provided by Mrs Whitney she said the week leading up to James going missing was “uneventful” and seemed “pretty normal”.

She said this was “unusual behaviour” and “completely out of character” for him.

Dorset Coroner’s Court also heard in a statement from James’ business partner and friend, Darren Henderson, that they had been friends for 18/19 years.

James worked as an architect and started a business with Mr Henderson in 2008.

It was reported James was last seen at his workplace in Christchurch at around 1pm on September 12.

Upon James leaving work, Mr Henderson contacted Mrs Whitney, stating he was concerned for James’ welfare.

After Mrs Whitley’s attempts to contact her husband, she contacted Dorset Police at 4.31pm.

James was expected to be playing football at 6pm with others; however, he did not show up.

After the location of Swanage was accessed from his phone, Mrs Whitney began to drive around and search for her husband.

James' vehicle was found in a layby in Ulwell Road in Swanage at 8.34pm on September 12.

The car’s engine was cold, and James’ belongings were still inside, including his phone.

As reported previously by the Daily Echo, the HM Coastguard, an NPAS helicopter and Dorset Search and Rescue were all involved in the search.

After searching through the night and the morning of September 13, the body of James Whitney was found near Old Harry Rocks shortly after midday.

A post-mortem examination conducted by Dr Stolte found James’ cause of death to be ‘multiple injuries’ sustained from a fall from a cliff. 

Assistant coroner for Dorset, Richard Middleton, concluded James died from suicide.

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