“It is likely Tyron went to the location seeking some form of reciprocity”
Tyron Riley was just 31(Image: GMP)
A builder who was wearing a balaclava and makeshift gumshield when he was found in a dark alleyway in Salford died from a stab wound to the chest, a coroner has concluded.
Tyron Riley’s body was slumped against the wall of a poorly lit alleyway near Clarendon Park in Salford on December 27, 2022.
An inquest into his death was held at Bolton Coroners Court this week, finishing on Wednesday (November 19).
On the final day of the inquest, coroner Michael Pemberton told the court how 31-year-old Tyron was found “collapsed and unresponsive in Clarendon Park, Salford, with a stab wound to the left side of his chest.”
He told the court that Tyron was found on evening of Boxing Day by a member of the public, but was confirmed deceased by paramedics on Dec 27.
The court heard how Tyron was found “wearing a balaclava made from white material and a rubber ball in his mouth acting as an apparent gumshield.” Coroner Pemberton said that Tyron was also wearing gloves and “metal bars were found in close proximity to his body with one across his lap”.
Police at the scene in Salford where a murder investigation was launched(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Following the discovery of Tyron’s body, Bradley Waters, then 17, handed himself in at a police station on January 1 and “provided a prepared statement indicating that he had been attacked by the deceased and during the course of the fight, a knife had resulted in a stab wound to the deceased”.
Coroner Pemberton told the court that Mr Waters had asserted that Tyron had been stabbed in “self defence” after he attacked Mr Waters with an “iron bar”.
It was revealed that a prepared statement by Mr Waters stated that, while he did not know the deceased, he “had words with Tyron in the proceeding days relating to a stolen bicycle and had recognised him from begging near McDonald’s”.
The court heard that before Christmas 2022, Tyron had taken a pedal bike left outside a shop by a “youngster” which led to comments and coverage on social media.
After Mr Waters recognised Tyron on a similar bicycle, he ordered him to return the bike and Tyron acquiesced.
The inquest was told how on December 26 2022, Mr Waters was approached by an individual “asking if he was selling weed.” The individual was “wearing a hoodie and his face was covered. This was Tyron, but he was not recognised.”
Coroner Pemberton said that the individual then allegedly attacked Mr Waters with an iron bar. A fight ensued and the masked individual was alleged to have produced a knife during the fight which he was stabbed with during the struggle.
“Mr Waters recounts in his prepared statement that he ran away from the scene and accepts that he disposed of his clothing by burning, and the knife which he threw into the river Irwell. This was never recovered.” Said Coroner Pemberton.
Bradley Waters(Image: GMP)
However, the coroner rejected the notion that Tyron was in possession of the knife due to the nature of the wound and angle it appeared, Tyron’s right handedness and that Mr Waters’ injuries were not “identifiable when examined.”
Coroner Pemberton added: “In my judgement it is likely that Bradley Waters was known to sell drugs at the location he was, this was a known place where drug dealing took place according to PC Wardell.
“It is likely Tyron went to the location seeking some form of reciprocity against Bradley Waters following the incident the previous day.”
The court was told about how Mr Waters’ immediate actions after the incident meant that the “precise circumstances” on how Tyron was stabbed “cannot be ascertained.”
The court heard how Mr Waters had disposed of the knife, his clothing and mobile”, “frustrating” the police investigation. Mr Waters was convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice and is currently serving a five year jail sentence.
Coroner Pemberton told the court: “Tyron Joseph Riley died due to a stab wound to the chest which was inflicted by another individual. On the available evidence the precise circumstances of the wound being inflicted cannot be ascertained.”