A businessman and owner of a Hammersmith -based company died in mysterious circumstances after playing a drinking game on holiday, an inquest has heard.
Charlie Raper, 34, of Chiswick , died 10 years ago while on a golfing holiday, in the Algarve, Portugal, with 17 friends.
The inquest took place on Monday (October 12) at Woking Coroner's Court and heard how the group of friends had taken part in drinking games.
It's still unclear as to whether he was run over by a vehicle, stabbed, fell off a wall or was involved in a fight.
One of Charlie's closest friends, David Currie, gave evidence about how he found him lying in a car park of an exclusive golf resort.
He recalled how he called Charlie's firm, Blue Hackle in Hammersmith , to "ask about insurance details".
He said: “I told them he could have fallen from a wall, been stabbed, or hit by a car.
“A member of the medical staff had said he had been stabbed.
“I told Kirsty [his wife] he had fallen off a wall because I thought it would cause the least distress.
“There was a lot of confusion.”
A 10-day hearing has started, with evidence expected to be heard from many of his friends.
David said: “We're quite a boisterous bunch - a big bunch of guys who had come together through rugby or university and some quite big drinkers."
“Charlie went to his room to get a drinking game. It was a figurine... he got the PC Plod as it was called.”
“I was happy I had quite a few drinks.
“I was 'moving quite well' to use a phrase my mother would have used. "
Coroner Richard Travers asked Mr Currie if he was aware of the group trying to come up with scenario to “protect” another member of the group.
Mr Currie denied this.
The inquest continues.
