Grim fate of missing mum-of-3 found dead under pile of rubbish in garden heard at inquest

A mother of three, who had been missing for over 10 days, was tragically found dead under a pile of rubbish in the garden of a Swansea property, an inquest has revealed. Kelly Louise Randall, aged 45, was last seen on May 3, 2022, and her partner reported her missing two days later on May 5.

The police launched a missing persons' search and began inquiries into Ms Randall's whereabouts. Despite her being a wheelchair user due to a previous leg amputation, she was initially categorised as a low-risk missing person.

Six days after her disappearance, her risk level was upgraded to medium, prompting police to search her Swansea home, check local hospitals and review CCTV footage. Upon learning that Ms Randall's wheelchair had been spotted outside a property in Clas y Deri, in the Waunarlwydd area of Swansea, the police concentrated their search efforts there.

Alfred Millman, the homeowner, allowed police into his property where they found a wheelchair in one of the bedrooms and blood stains on a jumper, mattress, bed sheet, and bedframe. A mound of rubbish and debris at the back of the house caught the attention of additional officers called to the scene.

Amongst the debris, an officer spotted clothing, a trainer, and what seemed to be a human arm. The body of Ms Randall was subsequently discovered and Mr Millman was promptly arrested on suspicion of her murder, reports Wales Online.

At an inquest into Ms Randall's death held at Swansea's Guildhall on Tuesday, detective constable Lisa Minto of South Wales Police provided evidence to assistant coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, Aled Gruffydd. DC Minto revealed that Ms Randall was last seen on May 3, 2022, a full 13 days before her body was discovered in the garden of the Clas y Deri property.

The inquest also heard about Ms Randall's history of drug addiction and her ongoing medication regimen at the time of her death. Known to self-harm, she had been battling depression.

A statement read at the inquest, penned by Ms Randall's partner of 25 years, disclosed their mutual use of heroin and Valium. On the day she was last seen, Ms Randall was taken to Morriston Hospital by paramedics after falling from her wheelchair. The inquest was told that she had spoken about suicide that day, even discussing "throwing herself from her wheelchair in front of cars".

Mr Millman, after being apprehended, gave an interview where parts of his testimony were relayed at the inquest by DC Minto. Mr Millman recounted: "The body in the garden is hers (Ms Randall's). She would call round and make tea and would occasionally clean for me.

"At 4.30am [on May 16, 2022] I was searching the house for [cigarette] papers. I found her body in the bedroom under the duvet. She was lying on her side. Her face was purple. I tried to clean her face. I knew she was dead as she was so cold.

"I panicked. I didn't know what to do. I put her outside where the rubbish was. God knows how long she had been there because I am hardly in the bedroom. I was scared. I should have called the police. I was in a panicky state. I had nothing to with her death. I know she had a drug problem."

Additionally, he mentioned not using the bedroom where Ms Randall was found for approximately two or three weeks, stating he moved her body outdoors using a belt and washing line rope. He insisted, "I haven't done anything wrong," and further clarified that though he was unsure how she arrived at his residence, she did possess a key to the property.

DC Minto presented to the inquest that their investigation yielded "no evidence found to suggest that Kelly's death was suspicious". During the inquest, forensic pathologist Dr John Williams revealed that he could not pinpoint the exact date of Ms Randall's death. However, decomposition suggested she passed away before May 16, 2022.

The post-mortem examination showed no skull fractures, bleeding around the brain, evidence of a stroke, heart attack, or head trauma. A toxicology report found alcohol levels in Ms Randall's blood at 128mg per 100ml, exceeding the legal drink-drive limit of 80mg. Her blood also contained cannabis, amphetamine, morphine, diazepam, and pregabalin.

Dr Williams stated that he "could not exclude the possibility" that these substances combined could have had a "sedative effect" or played a "significant" role in her death.

Dr Williams concluded there were "no pathological findings that Kelly's death is necessarily due to forced injury by another person". He also stated he "could not prove that her death is the result of drug toxicity". As such, he declared the cause of death as unascertained.

Referring to the testimony of Dr Williams, assistant coroner Mr Gruffydd recorded an open conclusion. Ms Randall's bereaved family members, some present at the inquest, had previously shared heartfelt tributes, lauding her as a "brilliant mother", a gifted hairdresser and a familiar figure within the Port Talbot community.