MYSTERY still surrounds the death of a young man found in the sea off the coast of Dover, following a two-year delay in identifying him and an inquest into his death.

Sean Hutchinson, 20, was last seen at his home in Pontefract, Yorkshire, on June 21, 2003. His body was found in the sea near the Goodwin Sands on July 8, 2003.

Delays in analysing his DNA meant his body was not identified until October last year - more than two years after he disappeared.

At the inquest, Roger Sykes, deputy assistant coroner for central and south-east Kent, said he could not ascertain a medical cause of death, was unable to make a finding into the circumstances leading to his death and said the only conclusion could be an open verdict.

Mr Hutchinson’s mother, Gail, told the inquest he was last seen at 5.30pm, at his home, heading to a barbeque. She was not aware of any connection her son had with Kent.

She added: "I just have no idea why he left Yorkshire and what happened to him."

Once Mr Hutchinson had been identified, Kent Police launched an investigation, travelling to Yorkshire to speak to his family and friends.

Det chf insp, Tony Kofkin, told the inquest: "Common sense says the two year delay could have hampered getting witnesses, who may have lived in Kent in 2003 and moved away, to identify Sean."

The inquest heard that clothing, including socks and shoelaces were tied around Mr Hutchinson’s body in an unusual way.

But no conclusions could be given as to whether this indicated he was murdered, met with an accident, or tried to tie the knots to aid buoyancy.

Toxicology reports showed a "significant" amount of amphetamine in his liver, but Mr Sykes concluded he did not die as a direct result of drug use. Post mortem exams showed no evidence of major injuries, although evidence of minor injuries could have been eroded by the sea.

Mr Hutchinson had probably been in the sea for just over two weeks.

The coroner added: "This is unprecedented in my 20 years of experience - to have no germ of an idea to indicate any answers. His death remains a mystery."

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Hutchinson’s father, John, 44, who lives in Northern Ireland, said: "It is bad enough a body is in a morgue for one month - but for two years? The only verdict we can get is open.

"When I found out Sean was dead, and when he died, it nearly killed me. I nearly had a heart attack. For those two years, I did at least have hope."

In a statement released after the inquest, Det chf insp Kofkin, said a review into the facts and circumstances around Sean’s case was continuing and Kent Police are in contact with the Hutchinsons.

The statement added: "We have consulted with everyone to determine the lessons that can be learned from this case for the future."