Soldier, 25, found trapped under boat with ropes around body suffered ‘violent or unnatural’ death

A soldier, 25, found dead in a Kent river had his body bound by ropes and suffered a ‘violent or unnatural’ death, an inquest has heard.

Charlie Saywell was discovered by passersby near Main Gate Road in the River Medway in Chatham at around 10:50am on March 5.

How Charlie, described by friends as a ‘true role model’, ended up in the river remains unclear.

He had been on a night out the previous evening before hopping in a cab back to his army accommodation, the court heard.