MYSTERY STILL SURROUNDS MAN'S DEATH IN FIELD

Source : 16/12/1976 Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Mystery continues to surround the death of 'Jesus Lives' Crusader, David Hooper whose body was found in a field near Bugbrooke five days ago.

Police have ruled out foul play but have yet to establish how or why the 26-year-old articled clerk died.

While forensic examination of Mr. Hooper's body is completed by Home Office scientists at Nottingham, police are anxious to trace his movements after he left his lodging's in Waggoner's Way, Bugbrooke, on the morning of Saturday December 4.

He left the four bed-roomed, detached house on the Merryfield Estate, telling his landlady he was 'going for a walk'.

Exactly a week later his body was discovered by a man walking his dog in fields near the village. There were no marks of violence and police think David died of exposure.

He may have lain in the field for many days and nights.

Villagers who may have seen Mr. Hooper wandering in or near the village at any time last week have been asked to contact the police. He may have reached the field on the day of his disappearance.

A neighbour, who had known Mr. Hooper for some time, said yesterday: 'My husband and I are very upset. We are very sorry for him.'

'He was a bit introverted but a very nice, quite intelligent young man. I have no idea what happened only that he was missing for a week.'

Mr. Hooper's landlady explained: 'I saw him leave the house early on the Saturday morning. He said he was going for a walk. That was quite normal, he often went out for walks.'

'There was nothing unusual about the thing at all. I am not going to say any more about it, you will have to speak to the Rev. Stanton.'

The Rev. Noel Stanton, a minister with the Jesus Fellowship at Bugbrooke of which Mr. Hooper was an associate, has declined to talk about the incident. His secretary said: 'David's father has asked us not to talk about this and we respect his wishes.'

David's father, who lives in Surrey, said he did not know about the police inquiries into his son's death. He added: 'I have nothing at all to say.'

At Daventry police station, Det. Chief Insp. Mike King said: 'We are just checking the background of the man, his work history and his associates. We have spoken to a number of people connected with the Jesus Fellowship and will probably be seeing other later.'

'He left Waggoners' Way to go for a walk but there is no reason at all why he should go.'

'When a young man dies for no apparent cause we have to look into the background.'