Man found dead in CS Lewis Nature Reserve; police say death unexplained but not suspicious
Investigation at Oxfordshire reserve linked to The Chronicles of Narnia; relatives receive support as detectives cordon off the site.
A man aged 28 was found dead in the CS Lewis Nature Reserve in Oxfordshire on Friday afternoon, prompting an investigation into an unexplained death that police said is not believed to be suspicious. Emergency services were called to the reserve at about 1:30 p.m. and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thames Valley Police said the death remains unexplained but not suspicious, and the man's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers. A police cordon was established near the reserve as investigators began reviewing CCTV and other lines of inquiry. A file is being prepared for the coroner.
The CS Lewis Nature Reserve lies near Oxford and is widely believed to have inspired the fictional world of The Chronicles of Narnia. The reserve features a flooded clay pit with aquatic plants, toads and dragonflies, alongside a steeply sloping wood.
The reserve was formerly owned by CS Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, and is not currently managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The site remains a point of reference for fans and scholars concerned with the author’s legacy and the landscapes he drew upon.
Police said the investigation is at an early stage. There were no immediate signs of foul play, and detectives are pursuing standard inquiries to determine the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. The next of kin have been informed and officers are supporting them as inquiries continue.