A 63-year-old grandfather, Conrad Welch, tragically lost his life following a single blow to the head during an assault in Ship Street, Oxford, in June 2021. Despite regaining consciousness initially, Conrad Welch ultimately succumbed to his injuries eight days later at the John Radcliffe Hospital. No individuals have been charged in connection with his death.
Coroner Darren Salter presided over the inquest into Conrad Welch’s passing, determining that his cause of death was a pulmonary thromboembolism. The incident leading to his demise unfolded on the evening of June 11, 2021, when Conrad Welch had been out celebrating his birthday in Oxford, having consumed alcohol and engaged in a verbal confrontation with a group of four young men.
During the course of the evening, Conrad Welch walked near this group on Ship Street around 10:50 PM. In a devastating turn of events, one member of the group delivered a single blow to his head, causing him to lose consciousness and fall, striking his head on the ground. An ambulance swiftly transported him to John Radcliffe Hospital, where it was determined that he had suffered a spinal cord injury. Despite this diagnosis, Conrad Welch chose not to undergo surgery.
Tragically, he eventually succumbed to a pulmonary thromboembolism, a condition likely exacerbated by the immobility resulting from his spinal injury. Dr. Brett Lockyer, a consultant forensic pathologist, provided evidence during the inquest, asserting that there was strong evidence of a “causal link” between the alleged incident on the fateful evening and Conrad Welch’s subsequent death.
Compounding the tragedy, it was revealed during the inquest that the criminal case related to Conrad Welch’s assault had collapsed due to unforeseen circumstances. The primary suspect in the case had met a fatal end in a car crash on the M25 in May.
Conrad Welch’s family, deeply affected by his untimely passing, shared their grief and memories in a heartfelt tribute. They expressed their devastation and heartbreak over the shocking loss of their beloved Conrad, noting that they never had the opportunity to bid him a final farewell. In their words, Conrad Welch was a loving, caring, and responsible individual who played vital roles as a father, grandad, brother, and uncle to many. He was always willing to go the extra mile to assist others, particularly his family and friends.
The inquest into Conrad Welch’s death shed light on the tragic events that unfolded that fateful night in Oxford. Despite the absence of criminal charges in connection with his assault, the details of his case underscore the profound impact that one moment of violence can have on a person’s life and the lasting pain it can inflict on their loved ones. Conrad Welch’s memory lives on in the hearts of his family and those who knew him, a testament to the enduring impact of a life well-lived.
