Footballer, 20, took his own life after discovering his late mother was a victim of David Fuller
A young footballer took his own life after discovering that his dead mother was the victim of the necrophiliac mortuary monster David Fuller, an inquest has found.
Jay Carr, 20, was suffering from mental health problems when police told him that his mother had been abused by the double killer after her death.
Fuller was sentenced to two life terms in December 2021 for the 1987 murder of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
He also received concurrent sentences of 12 years for sex crimes against 78 dead women in mortuaries at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and at the former Kent and Sussex Hospital between 2008 and 2020.
Jay’s family believes that he should not have been told that his mother was Fuller’s victim, given his existing mental health issues.
His body was discovered by police on September 20 in a wooded area near his home in Snodland, Kent, after he had gone missing the previous day.
Jay Carr, 20, suffered mental health issues when police told him his mother had been abused by double murderer Fuller after her death
Fuller was sentenced to two life terms in December 2021 for the 1987 murder of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in Tunbridge Wells, Kent
His body was discovered by police on September 20 in a wooded area near his home in Snodland, Kent, after he had gone missing the previous day.
At an inquest at Maidstone’s County Hall today, a coroner was told the 20-year-old was upset by news of his mother’s fate.
Shahram Sharghy, a lawyer representing his family, said a note from Jay referred to her death.
He told the court: “Jay took the death of his mother and the circumstances of her death extremely hard.
“The information provided clearly had a significant impact that spiraled over the ensuing months, leading to him committing suicide.
“The family will not accept that it was their suggestion to tell Jay and other family members the information.”
However, DS Jon Wheeler, one of the Kent police family liaison officers who broke the news, said Jay’s father Danny agreed that his son should be made aware of Fuller’s abuse.
Through their attorneys, the family urged the coroner to reach a narrative conclusion.
But the coroner said the impact of the news Jay received in 2021 played a role in his death.
Coroner James Dillon said, “The conclusion of suicide is the only correct conclusion I can draw.
Jay Carr took his own life by hanging at Holly Hill Wood and was found dead on September 20, 2022.
His mental health had deteriorated since October after learning facts about his late mother. It is a conclusion of suicide.’
Wendy Knell (left) and Caroline Pierce (right) were beaten and strangled by Fuller before being sexually assaulted
Fuller eluded justice for more than 30 years after murdering Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, in Tunbridge Wells in 1987. He then abused at least 101 dead bodies in morgues
After Jay’s death, flowers and a bottle of beer were placed near the woods where his body was found.
The car mechanic and builder was described by friends as a ‘ray of sunshine’, while Aylesford Football Club teammates also paid tribute to the much-loved player, describing him as a ‘special person’ on and off the pitch.
Connie Horton, who became friends with Jay when they were both at Wrotham School, said: ‘Jay loved having a laugh with his mates in the pub.
“I never knocked him down, he always had a smile on his face. He was a ray of sunshine.’
A charity football game is played in memory of Jay. Ide Hill Select XV will play Jay Carr Select XV at Snodland Town Football Club on July 23 to raise money for West Kent Mind.
Police discovered that Fuller sexually assaulted the dead bodies of at least 102 women and children while working as an electrician at a hospital.
But the now 68-year-old’s shocking crimes came to light after he was linked to one of Britain’s longest unsolved double murders more than 30 years ago.
In December 2021, he received a life sentence after admitting to killing 25-year-old Wendy Knell and 20-year-old waitress Caroline Pierce.
During the police investigation, Fuller was linked to the 30-year cold cases through a DNA breakthrough that then led police to his stash of sickening recordings of himself abusing corpses.
Between 2008 and 2020, Fuller sexually assaulted more than 100 female bodies aged nine to 100 in hospital morgues controlled by the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
An independent investigation is currently investigating how Fuller was able to carry out his crimes undetected.
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