Farmer Strangled Father Over Farm Dispute, Inquest Hears

A farmer strangled his churchwarden father to death and buried him on the family’s land after fearing he was going to give away the farm to someone else, an inquest heard.

Charles Wright, 52, killed his father Brian, 82, following a disagreement over the future of Hall Farm in Nottinghamshire. According to a voice note sent to police, Charles feared his father was planning to give the majority of the farm to another family member and was considering replacing him.

“I just had a flash of red and after 25 years and everything I have given him, he was just cutting me out like that,” Charles Wright stated in the recording. “I just saw red, dragged him out of the car and throttled him.” He also indicated an intention to take his own life.

The voice note was sent to police on November 22 last year, two days after Brian Wright had been reported missing. His body was discovered in an outbuilding at the farm on the same day.

An inquest at Nottingham Coroner’s Court concluded that Brian Wright was unlawfully killed, while his son died by suicide. Senior Coroner Mairin Casey described the case as “a truly tragic case” and expressed condolences to the family.

The inquest heard that Brian Wright had been critical of his son, calling him “useless” and “not capable of farming,” and stating it was a “mistake to let him farm that land” during an argument.

Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow stated that Charles Wright’s voice note detailed his father’s criticism and financial disagreements, and confirmed he had buried his father on the farm.

Brian Wright was reported missing on November 20 after failing to take his wife to a hospital appointment. The following day, Charles Wright, his brother James, and a farm mechanic spoke with police. During an interview the day before his death, Charles Wright discussed family dynamics, relationship difficulties, and farm arrangements.

Later on November 21, Brian Wright’s vehicle was found at an unusual location, and his body was discovered buried on the farm four days later. The cause of death was determined to be pressure applied to the neck.

On November 22, Charles Wright drove his vehicle at his brother James and a friend, causing injury. Charles Wright died by suicide later that day in an outbuilding on the farm.

The court also heard of prior tensions at the farm, which had led to a firearms license being withdrawn from an unnamed family member due to concerns about potential misuse amid family discord.

Detective Chief Inspector Burrow confirmed that evidence indicated Charles Wright murdered his father and took his own life, with no third-party involvement in either death.