The family of a young man who went missing for several months before being found in the North Sea may never know what happened to him.
Liam Graham, of Heron Way in Lower Stoke, Medway, was last seen walking away from a car accident in the early hours of Saturday, July 22, in Stoke Road, between Lower Stoke and Hoo.
After months of searching, in November 2023 police confirmed human remains recovered in The Netherlands had been identified as belonging to Liam.
At his inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone today, the coroner heard the events leading up to his disappearance.
Liam had been in the Five Bells in Hoo with friends where he is said to have had three pints.
The group then went to one of the friend's homes where Liam had further drinks - two vodka lemonades.
Those at the gathering told police they'd seen Liam also taking ketamine and cocaine, the court heard.
Liam, two friends, left the house in a white Ford Fiesta at around midnight. Liam was the driver.
In a statement read by James Dylan, assistant coroner, it is reported that one of the passengers said to police: “I can’t remember anything but noise, screeching and then waking up in a bush.
“It was dark and Liam was driving fast down country lanes and braking sporadically. I didn’t feel safe in the car. We took a corner far too quickly and collided with something. I passed out and didn’t see Liam again.”
Kent Police started to receive calls at about 12.33am after the car crashed into a parked vehicle, wall of a house and fences.
Officers were on the scene in 15 minutes and described it as ‘carnage’.
Witnesses said the driver ran off towards the direction of Hoo and one Puma trainer was later found near the scene.
CCTV footage shows Liam heading north holding his head as if injured.
The police helicopter and dog handlers were called in to help with the search and at this point were hunting for someone who had committed a driving offence.
But the following day, when family and friends were unable to contact him, a missing person investigation was launched.
A police officer attended Liam’s family home where his mother suggested he may be scared of the consequences and he knew he’d be in trouble.
Detective Inspector Paul Fewtrell got involved with the search on July 30. Marine teams, British Transport Police and dog handlers were all called on to help.
Liam's phone, bank and social media activity were all monitored and local hospitals and ports were also checked.
The inquest heard the steps taken by Kent Police to try and track down Liam and pieces of evidence collected over the next few months.
In a statement read by the coroner DI Paul Fewtrell said: “Liam voluntarily left the scene without his shoes, took off his socks in an orchard 0.6 miles from the scene. He was barefoot and there is evidence he was under the influence of drink and drugs.
“He was in a rural unknown area. it was dark and he had no means of light.
“There was a line of lights in the horizons and he may have been heading towards them.”
On November 6, Dutch authorities got in touch after a crew on a fishing trawler discovered his skull in the North Sea and returned it to their home port in Holland.
The investigator’s main working hypothesis is: “Having walked away from a serious crash towards the bright lights of Southend, which he may have believed was the way home, he entered the mud or marsh area of the Isle of Grain.
“Whether he entered on purpose or by accident is unknown. He was then taken out to the Thames Estuary and then the North Sea, where his skull was found by a fishing trawler.”
The coroner read to the court that Liam's family say it is unlikely he would have entered the water and that he can’t swim.
In his conclusion, assistant coroner James Dylan said: “Liam was involved in a road traffic collision on July 22, 2023 and left the scene before emergency services arrived.
“He travelled in a northerly direction and socks with his DNA were found. He appears to have entered the water at Thames Estuary, most likely near All Hallows.
“It is unlikely he entered the water deliberately. His partial remains were located in the North Sea on the September 15.
“And that is all I am afraid I am able to draw on conclusions. Those are the conclusions I can draw.
“On behalf of all of us, I’d like to send our condolences on the loss of Liam.”
Liam’s disappearance sparked a huge search and response from the local community to support his family.
Speaking after the inquest, Liam’s sister Holly said: “After months of suffering, looking for Liam, not knowing where he was and what had happened, we came here today hoping that this inquest would give us some closure, but we will never understand what happened that night to Liam or why or how he ended up where he was.
“The whole family feels let down by the police who didn't act quickly enough from the night of the accident, not informing the family of the crash until we made contact with them 48 hours after the incident.
“Liam has been failed by the police service and this has left us feeling angry, heartbroken and disappointed.
“We can only hope that this never happens to another family and the police have learned their lessons from this tragedy.
“We would like to thank the family, friends and members of public who looked tirelessly for Liam day in and day out. We may feel let down by the professionals, but all that followed and helped on the searches never stopped supporting our family to bring Liam home and we couldn't have done it without you all.
“Liam, we miss you more than you know and we could do, we would do anything to have one last hug, listen to your infectious laugh or see your silly fortnight dancing.
“We will forever keep you in our hearts and remember all those good times that you shared with us all.
“Leelies, we love you.”
Kent Police has been contacted for comment.
