Key Points
- Gareth Griffiths, 45, from Cornwall, was found dead in Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake on Christmas Eve, December 24, after going missing on December 3.
- He had travelled to London to visit his 13-year-old son undergoing life-saving bone marrow transplant for aplastic anaemia at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.
- Gareth was last seen at his son’s bedside on Wednesday, December 3; a missing person report was filed with the Metropolitan Police on December 10.
- A member of the public spotted a body in the lake near Winter Wonderland, initially mistaking it for a floating jacket.
- Gareth’s brother, a 50-year-old father-of-two from Ruislip, West London, who restores historical buildings, believes it was a ‘tragic accident’.
- The brother received a call on December 4 about Gareth missing and was informed of his death by police on Christmas Eve.
- He described Christmas Day as ‘the worst day of his life’, spent telling their 82-year-old mother; Boxing Day was his 50th birthday, with no celebration.
- Gareth leaves two sons: 13-year-old in London under brother’s care, 15-year-old with their mother in Cornwall.
- Gareth, a builder by trade, was ‘fun-loving’, ‘laid-back’, lived for his kids; family plans sea trip to scatter ashes.
- Brother, self-employed, worries about funeral costs; plans service in coming weeks.
- Metropolitan Police treat death as ‘unexpected’; enquiries ongoing; next of kin supported by specialist officers.
- Gareth had connections to Westminster, Harrow, Islington, Devon, and Cornwall.
Hyde Park (Manchester Mirror) January 31, 2026 – Gareth Griffiths, a 45-year-old father from Cornwall, was tragically discovered deceased in the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park on Christmas Eve, three weeks after vanishing while visiting his critically ill son in London.
Who Was Gareth Griffiths and Why Was He in London?
Gareth Griffiths had journeyed from his home in Cornwall to London in early December to support his youngest son, aged 13, who was receiving a life-saving bone marrow transplant at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington for aplastic anaemia. As reported in the initial coverage, he was at his child’s bedside on Wednesday, December 3, but disappeared later that day, triggering a frantic three-week search.
The 45-year-old builder, who had relocated to Cornwall nearly 30 years ago with his now 82-year-old mother after growing up in Ruislip, West London, was described by family as deeply devoted to his children. His brother, a 50-year-old father-of-two who restores historical buildings and lives in Ruislip, recounted: ‘I got that awful phone call on the fourth saying he was missing.’
What Happened on the Day He Went Missing?
Gareth was last confirmed at the hospital on December 3. The Metropolitan Police filed a formal missing person report on December 10, a week later, noting his believed connections to Westminster, Harrow, and Islington in London, as well as Devon and Cornwall. As per the police appeal, the search intensified amid concerns for his welfare.
His brother learned of the disappearance on December 4, just a day after Gareth’s hospital visit. ‘The last time I spoke to Gareth was a couple of weeks before he went missing,’ the sibling stated, highlighting the sudden shock.
How Was His Body Discovered in the Serpentine Lake?
On Wednesday, December 24, police responded to Hyde Park after a member of the public reported a body in the water near Winter Wonderland. A Met Police spokesperson confirmed: ‘On Wednesday, 24 December, police were called to Hyde Park following the concern for welfare of a man in the water. Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service and the man was sadly declared dead at the scene.’
The brother detailed the grim discovery: ‘Somebody said they thought they saw a jacket floating in the water. When they went to check, that jacket was my brother. It was Gareth.’ Police knocked on his door that Christmas Eve to break the news.
What Has the Family Said About the Devastating Loss?
Gareth’s passing has shattered his loved ones. His brother, who does not wish to be named, called it ‘the worst of his life’, particularly Christmas Day when he informed their mother, and Boxing Day—his own 50th birthday—with no festivities. ‘Christmas Day was the worst day of my life, going to tell my mum,’ he shared. ‘Boxing Day was my 50th birthday, but we didn’t have a celebration. I had to tell his son and watch his world fall apart. Every Christmas is going to be a constant reminder of when the boys lost their father.’
Now caring for Gareth’s 13-year-old in London while their mother tends to the 15-year-old in Cornwall, the brother praised Gareth as ‘a lovely, fun-loving guy. He enjoyed life and lived for his kids.’ He added: ‘He was very laid back and fun-loving. He did a lot for his boys. He was a great dad. If he wasn’t working, he would be with his boys. Before Gareth’s son went to hospital, they were always together, the three of them. Now, not even the boys are together. That’s the saddest thing about it all.’
Is the Death Being Treated as Suspicious?
The brother firmly believes it was a ‘tragic accident’ despite the puzzling circumstances. ‘Gareth was in London for his son’s treatment. It’s very hard at the moment. Everything about it was so sad,’ he reflected.
The Metropolitan Police have classified the death as ‘unexpected’, with enquiries ongoing to determine the cause. Their spokesperson elaborated: ‘His next of kin were notified at the time and are being supported by specialist officers. The death is being treated as unexpected, and enquiries remain ongoing.’ No further details on the investigation were immediately available.
What Are the Family’s Plans for the Funeral and Ashes?
The brother is organising the funeral in the coming weeks but, as a self-employed individual, frets over costs. He plans a family trip to sea to scatter Gareth’s ashes: ‘I’d like to take them to sea, to say goodbye to their dad. It would be nice to go as one big family.’ This gesture aims to provide closure for the nephews.
Gareth’s life, marked by his trade as a builder and unwavering fatherhood, will be commemorated amid profound grief. The family urges privacy as they navigate this ordeal.
The story of Gareth Griffiths underscores the fragility of life, blending paternal devotion with unforeseen tragedy in the heart of London’s Hyde Park. As investigations continue, his loved ones cling to memories of a man who ‘lived for his kids’.
