WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT David Phyall, 50, suffered a gruesome death after deciding to end his own life as he refused to leave his 1960s home in Bishopstoke, Hampshire, which was marked for demolition
Emilia Randall GAU Writer
08:00, 05 Nov 2025Updated 08:19, 05 Nov 2025
Bishopstoke in Hampshire(Image: Google Street View)
A man met a horrific end after he decapitated himself with a chainsaw in an extreme act of defiance over being evicted from his property.
David Phyall’s 1960s home was scheduled for demolition, but after living there for eight years, he refused to leave, making the ultimate statement.
The 50-year-old from a tranquil Hampshire village had a background of mental health issues, was characterised as “vulnerable”, and had previously attempted to take his own life before his final act in his residence.
On the day he died by suicide, it was reported David was “irrationally opposed” to the “injustice” of vacating his repossessed property in 2008 in Bishopstoke. Central Hampshire deputy coroner Simon Burge said: “In the 15 years I have been sitting as a deputy coroner, this is the most bizarre case I can recall.”, reports the Express.
The 50-year-old had consumed a modest amount of alcohol, and utilised the chainsaw to take his life. Officers discovered his sitting room drenched in blood, covering the floors, walls and cabinet, after his parents sounded the alarm.
David’s elderly mother and father, John and Jean, contacted police when they were unable to reach their son in his ground floor housing association flat.
The man refused to leave his home of eight years(Image: Handout)
Police were summoned and they forced entry into David’s home, requesting the parents remain outside. David’s probable cause of death was described as a “complete transaction of the neck” and “chainsaw wound to the neck.”
An ambulance service spokesman said: “We were called to an address in Bishopstoke to reports to a ‘concerns for welfare’. A rapid response vehicle attended and a search found a patient had sustained serious injuries.”
Sergeant Mark Carter said he discovered David in his lounge on July 5. Coroner Simon Burge said to the officer: “It must have been a huge shock to you.” Sgt Carter replied: “In some ways it was sir.”
The inquest heard that David had fiercely resisted the demolition of his flat and despite considerable efforts from his housing association, he had turned down 11 offers of alternative accommodation. The matter proceeded to court and his property was to be repossessed.
David had refused to leave and was the sole resident in the block of 77, with everyone else having departed and boarded up their properties. Recording a verdict of suicide, Burge said First Wessex Housing Group had done everything possible to assist David but he was “irrationally opposed to moving”.
Coroner Burge added: “It is an appalling way to take one’s life but that is what happened in this case. He thought through how he was going to commit suicide very carefully. He went to a great deal of trouble. I think he did it to draw attention to the injustice of his situation.”
Ron Turtle, chairman of the Stoke Residents’ Association, revealed that there was one tenant left who he believed to be a disabled man renting a ground-floor flat from Atlantic Housing. He added: “They had offered him several places that were similar but he just didn’t want to move. In the end they had to go to court.”
Anne Winstanley, who was the Lib Dem Bishopstoke Parish Council chairman at the time, said: “The last I heard they were still negotiating with him to try to provide what he required to move into as an alternative. It sounds very tragic for whatever the reason he met his death.”
For emotional support you can ring the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans. org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.