Oxford Chef’s Cause of Death Remains Unclear Following Inquest Findings
An inquest reveals the cause of Oxford chef Philip Wong’s death is unascertained, leaving family and friends seeking answers.
Oxford, Philip Wong, Ned’s Noodle Bar, Dignitas, Coroner’s Court
Oxford: Philip Wong, a chef, died on September 16 last year. His neighbors were worried about him and called for help.
When police arrived, they found Philip’s body in his bedroom. An inquest took place on February 3 at Oxford Coroner’s Court.
The post-mortem showed the cause of death was unascertained due to decomposition. There was no evidence of trauma or foul play.
Philip worked at Ned’s Noodle Bar in the Westgate Centre until 2022. A resignation letter was found in his home after his death.
His colleague, Muhammad Mahmood, mentioned Philip struggled after losing his mother and during the pandemic. He noticed Philip was not himself.
Philip’s GP, Dr. Fiona Gelder, shared that he felt low but had no suicidal thoughts. His brother, David, was also concerned about his health.
David noted changes in Philip’s behavior after their father’s death in 2015. Philip had cared for their father, who had dementia.
After Philip’s death, a letter from Dignitas, a Swiss assisted suicide organization, was found in his home, dated 2018.
The coroner, Nicholas Graham, stated the pathologist couldn’t determine a cause of death. He noted no evidence of intent to take his own life.
Graham concluded that it might have been a natural death, but an open conclusion was necessary due to the uncertainty. He offered condolences to the family.