THE DEATH of a bird watcher whose charred body was found at the wheel of a burned out car at an Island beauty spot remains a mystery.

An inquest this week failed to determine whether Richard Stone's death was due to a bizarre accident or suicide.

Police launched a murder inquiry after the discovery of 58-year-old Mr Stone's body at Mottistone Down in August last year.

That was scaled down and the man leading the investigation Det Insp Peter McGowan - supported by forensic experts - told the inquest in Newport that no third party involvement was suspected.

Recording an open verdict, coroner John Matthews said there were still unanswered questions.

Single Mr Stone, 58, grew up on the Island and owned a holiday home at Totland, a short drive from the place of his death.

Forensic scientist Mr David Halliday revealed traces of petrol were discovered inside the car and there were no signs that he had been restrained. The inquest heard Mr Stone had bought sleeping pills shortly before his death, traces of which were found in his body.

Torn-up notes thanking his sister and a friend for everything they had done for him were also found in a waste bin at his home in Barnet, Herts. Though Mr Stone had recently been made redundant and was looking to sell his holiday apartment, Mr Matthews was told his death came as a shock to the family.

Vivienne Gare described her brother, known as 'Dick' to his friends, as a quiet man who lived alone.

She last saw him when she made a surprise visit to his house a few days before his death.

Then he was his normal self, apart from a brief altercation when her brother became angry.

"I had never seen him like that before but he apologised to me afterwards and I don't know how much was directed at me," said Mrs Gare.

The hearing heard Mr Stone had no history of depression or illness.

Mr Matthews said some of what he heard tended to point at suicide but he could not rule out the possibility of accidental death.