HEIST TRAGEDY
Watch dealer, 27, found in woods the day after he was put in chokehold during raid at jewellers, inquest told
Watch moment jewellery dealer was put in chokehold during robbery
A WATCH dealer was found dead in a woodland area the day after he was the victim of a £2.8million robbery, an inquest has heard.
Oliver White, 27, was assaulted and put in a chokehold by two unarmed men before they stole several high-value watches from the shop in Kew Road, Richmond, south-west London.
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Horrifying footage showed the moment he was left "traumatised" and "unable to speak" by the violent raid on May 25.
Oliver, who worked as a watch dealer at the store, was not seriously injured in the attack but was later found dead in Shepperton, Surrey.
His death is not being treated as suspicious, the Metropolitan Police said.
Yesterday morning Surrey Coroner's Court heard a post-mortem found Oliver died from suspension.
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Coroner Simon Wickens said "jewellery shop sales manager" Oliver was identified by his stepfather Mark.
Coroner's Officer Adam Stewart said: "He confirms he had known Oliver for 19 years and saw him after he had died at the aforementioned woodland area on the 26 May."
The coroner released Oliver's body to his family and adjourned the inquest until a later date.
Mr Wickens said: "An inquest is requested due to the unnatural nature of the death.
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"I have previously released Oliver's body back to the family. The matter is subject to evidence-gathering and a coroner's review.
"This inquest stands as open and adjourned."
FAMILY STATEMENT
A touching balloon and flower tribute was set up against a gate at the bottom of Sheep Walk a day after Oliver's death.
In a statement, his loved ones said: "Our son Oliver returned home from his place of work on Saturday traumatised and unable to speak.
"He had been the victim of a terrifying attack and high value robbery at his place of work, which was later shared widely on social media.
"Sadly, it is our belief that Oliver subsequently took his own life due to the anguish and distress of this terrible incident.
"As a family we are devastated by the loss of our beautiful, funny, loyal boy, who lit up every room he walked into."
The Met said a man and woman, both in their 30s, were arrested in connection with the robbery, which took place at around 2.50pm.
The woman has since been released under investigation.
The man has been bailed pending further inquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Mather said: "First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Mr White's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time.
"We would ask that they are given the privacy they need to grieve.
"We are working tirelessly to get them the answers they need and are making good progress with our investigation.
"We urge anyone who has information that could assist us to get in touch as soon as possible.
"The images we have provided are good quality and someone must recognise the men we need to speak to. If you don't want to contact police, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously."
In the images, one man is wearing a grey hoodie while the other has a black and white T-shirt with sunglasses on his head.
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The force asked anyone with information to call 101, quoting incident number CAD4555/25May, or to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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