Chilling moment killer tells paramedics body has been in bedroom ‘for 12 days’

This is the moment a carer told paramedics ‘he’s been dead for about 12 days’ after leaving a disabled man dead on his bed.

Leon Pratt’s body was found wrapped in a duvet and decomposing on a bed at his home in Telford, Shropshire, on October 26, 2024.

Concerned neighbors had raised the alarm after not seeing the 64-year-old for some time, but it soon emerged that he had been murdered by his ‘unofficial carer’, Jason Trundle.

Bodycam footage released by West Mercia Police captured paramedics arriving at the property, with one asking a colleague, ‘Can you smell that?’

Once inside, killer Trundle pointed at a closed bedroom door and told them, ‘In there. He’s been dead about 12 days.’

When asked if he had told anyone, he said no and added: ‘Nobody knows I’m here, I don’t have any money, I’ve gotta look after that dog. So where am I gonna go and what am I gonna do?’

Trundle told paramedics Mr Pratt was on the bed before saying: ‘I didn’t kill him. He just died.’

When paramedics tried to probe him further, he replied: ‘I’m not gonna answer any questions.’

Trundle said his victim was ‘off the plot’ and ‘going stupid’ due to his health conditions, claiming that he ‘had to lock him in the house’ whenever he left to do the shopping.

When police arrived, they asked how Mr Pratt died, with Trundle responding: ‘Next question.’

Trundle admitted manslaughter and denied murder, before standing trial at Stafford Crown Court.

He previously admitted preventing a lawful burial and fraud by false representation after using Mr Pratt’s bank card in a local shop while he lay dead at home.

The defendant was convicted of murder by jurors and jailed for life, with a minimum term of 19 years, at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, April 10.

The trial heard how Trundle, 52, moved in with Mr Pratt after meeting on social media.

The killer had nowhere to live and would provide day-to-day care for Mr Pratt, who had several health conditions and used a wheelchair and walking sticks.

Prosecutor Richard Barraclough KC told the jury: ‘He provided day-to-day care for him, they had known each other for about a year-and-a-half, having met through social media.

‘He told Mr Pratt he was homeless and was invited to live with him. He was Mr Pratt’s unofficial carer.’

neighbors in Downmeade, in the Hollinswood area of Telford, dialled 999 to report they had not seen Mr Pratt since the end of September 2024.

Paramedics could smell something putrid like rotting flesh coming from the property, Mr Barraclough said during his opening speech.

West Mercia Police said Trundle was initially bailed but was charged with murder after a post-mortem examination indicated that Mr Pratt had suffered significant injuries to his back, ribs and neck.

The victim’s last phone activity was on September 27, 2024 – the same day his car was last used.

Detective Inspector Joanne Delahay, of West Mercia Police, said: ‘Leon clearly trusted Jason with his life, and he took that away from him. We welcome the jury’s decision and are thankful that Leon’s family only had to wait another day for Trundle to be sentenced.

‘I hope it brings some closure to Leon’s family and those who knew him.’

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