Queen Camilla withdraws from engagements after becoming unwell

In June 2023, Barry Griffiths, from Wales in the United Kingdom, passed away after accidentally knifing himself while separating frozen burgers, the Western Telegraph reported.

Authorities were called to the Griffiths’ home in his first-floor apartment in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, after concerns that he had not been seen for over a week.

A man from Wales died after an accident with frozen hamburgers. Credit: Steve Cicero/Getty

However, what was supposed to be a casual welfare check turned into the gruesome discovery of a dead body when police broke down the door and discovered the 57-year-old on the floor of his home, with pools of blood trailing his kitchen, hallway, and bedroom.

Griffiths was found lying on his bed, fully clothed, with a gory injury to his stomach.

His phone, wallet, and computer remained where they were supposed to be and there were no signs of forced entry into the building.

After further investigation, it was confirmed that the man had died due to blood loss via a sharp force injury.

Griffiths had allegedly been trying to separate the frozen burgers with a knife when he stabbed himself in the stomach, as revealed during an inquest earlier this year.

Patricia Morgan, a coroner had added that he had previously suffered from a stroke which led to a reduced mobility in one of his arms that could have potentially led to this accident.

Griffiths’ body remained in his apartment for several days after his death with Morgan noting that he “[had a] relatively private life with limited contact with others,” which was why it took over a week for police to conduct a wellness check, as per Fox News.

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Rees, who was the senior investigator assigned to the case, reviewed all the evidence before giving his verdict.

“My thought process favored the wound had been caused by an accident solely involving Mr. Griffiths. The bottom drawer of the freezer had been left open and pulled forward in a position to access food items,” Rees said at the time of the inquest. “On the work surface in the kitchen adjacent to the fridge freezer were two uncooked burgers, a knife, and a tea towel.”

He also added: “The wound to the abdomen would have been approximately the height of the work surface. My hypothesis at that stage was that Mr. Griffiths was attempting to separate frozen burgers using a knife.”

The officers working on the case expressed their condolences to the family, stating that it was a “traumatic” experience to have to re-live the way their loved one had died.

“I appreciate the evidence is difficult to hear and traumatic,” Morgan said. “Thank you for your patience while the investigation was ongoing. I express my condolences at this difficult time.”

Our thoughts continue to go out to anybody impacted by this tragedy.

Featured Image Credit: Mireya Acierto/Getty

A teenager has tragically passed away after eating pizza while on vacation in Rome with family.

The 14-year-old girl, named Skyler by several outlets, visited a restaurant outside her accommodation with her loved ones on Thursday (October 24).

A 14-year-old girl tragically died after eating Pizza at a restaurant. Credit: Nico De Pasquale Photography / Getty

According to The Mirror, the young girl suddenly fell ill after eating at the “I love pizza kebab” diner in the Italian capital.

She reportedly began experiencing severe allergic reactions, including trouble breathing, pounding heart, chills, throat constriction, and body tremors.

The teen’s concerned parents requested help from their accommodation who called emergency services. However, upon arrival, paramedics discovered Skyler unconscious.

Medics tried to resuscitate Skyler and then rushed her to a nearby San Camillo hospital by ambulance. Sadly she died of anaphylactic shock before reaching the medical facility, as reported by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

The heartbreaking tragedy took place in Rome, Italy. Credit: Eloi_Omella / Getty

Monteverde police officers have started an investigation after Skyler’s family disclosed that the teenager had a serious peanut allergy.

The 14-year-old’s loved ones have revealed that in the past, she experienced serious allergic reactions so she would carefully read food labels to avoid eating anything that could contain peanuts.

It has not been disclosed whether the restaurant was informed of the teen’s allergy before the heartbreaking incident.

Per Corriere della Sera, detectives have now spoken to the restaurant’s owners and are also looking into whether the peanuts were present in the pre-packaged dessert Skyler had before she sadly died.

In addition to this, ASL Roma 3 – which looks after health services in that district of the city – has conducted hygienic and health checks to confirm if there were allergens in the pizza restaurant.

Skyler’s family disclosed that the teenager had a serious peanut allergy. Credit: Lisapics / Getty

Skyler’s family has reportedly returned to England. They had planned to visit the Vatican Museums the next day, followed by trips to the Colosseum and the Imperial Fora, per The Mirror.

The teen’s body will be transported back after the medical-legal investigations, ordered by the Prosecutor’s Office, are completed. An FCDO Spokesperson has issued some words, which read: “We are supporting the family of a British child who has died in Italy and are in contact with local authorities.”

Our thoughts are with Skyler’s family and friends at this time.

Featured image credit: Alexander Spatari / Getty

A man who claimed to be the “love child” of King Charles III and Camilla Parker-Bowles has penned a letter to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Simon Charles Dorante-Day, from Queensland, Australia, has made headlines around the world with his claim that he is the illegitimate son of the monarch and Queen-consort.

The 58-year-old was adopted from Portsmouth, UK, at eight months old. According to him, he could have been conceived by the King and Queen Consort during a trip to Australia in 1965.

If Dorante-Day’s allegations are true, this would have made Camilla 18 and a young Prince Charles merely 17.

The man, who has contacted several legal professionals about bringing a paternity case against the King, once wrote a letter to the late Queen requesting that she demand her eldest son participate in DNA testing.

King Charles and Camila, Queen Consort. Credit: Samir Hussein / Getty

According to 7News, the father-of-nine revealed the details of the letter after the late monarch passed away in September 2023.

“I’ve kept the contents of the letter confidential until now, but with her passing, I think it’s appropriate to share my last correspondence with her,” he said. “When she passed away, I was disappointed that she had died without responding to my message. That was my first thing – just sad because that window of opportunity has closed.”

In the message to the Queen, Dorante-Day explained that he reached out to her after approaching Queensland’s Governor General Dr Jeanette Young about his case.

“I take the liberty of approaching you via the Governor’s Office however, given the position with which my family and I find ourselves, we feel this action is justified,” he penned, adding that his appearance was changed during his childhood due to a series of medical procedures.

“I can certainly understand, and to some degree forgive, actions that have been taken in the past in relation to my existence, but I cannot forget what has occurred,” the letter continued. “These actions I believe were undertaken to conceal my true identity.”

Camilla, King Charles, and Queen Elizabeth II. Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo / Getty

Dorante-Day alleged that his adopted grandmother – who had worked for the Queen – had told him directly that Charles and Camilla were his birth parents.

“Furthermore, over the years of residing with the Day family, my adopted grandparents Winifred and Earnest Bowlden often spoke about the time they worked for the Royal household,” he said.

“Then on my last visit to the United Kingdom in 1998, my adopted grandmother Winifred told me herself, that my birth parents were your son Charles and his wife Camilla,” he added.

The letter concluded with a plea from Dorante-Day to the late Queen, asking for her help in resolving this alleged paternity issue.

“It would be naive of me to think you are not aware of my claims. Nor that you have not been following events to date. Subsequently, you will all be aware of the actions I have recently commenced and the level of attention this has already received,” he said.

“I am writing on behalf of my family and I to ask for your assistance in coming forward and resolving this issue and stopping this global assault. May God give you the strength to come forward,” he added.

Featured image credit: Chris Jackson / Getty

There has been a major update regarding a case of a mystery woman who was found dead at a tower block in London 20 years ago.

On the morning of October 29, 2004, the young woman is believed to have fallen from the 21st floor of Wembley Point, now known as the WEM Tower London, into the River Brent below.

Wembley Point. Credit: Google Maps

Since then, the mystery surrounding her identity and her presence at the building has remained unsolved.

The missing persons charity Locate International has continued its efforts to solve the case, hoping new leads may finally provide answers.

The woman’s body was discovered shortly after 9:00AM on October 29, 2004.

According to Locate International, she was between 20 and 40 years old and approximately 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 3 inches in height.

She was dressed in a maroon bomber jacket with fabric cuffs, a thin black polo-neck jumper layered under a claret crew-neck jumper, black tights and trousers, and black Skechers boots with a zip and buckle.

She also wore a black leather glove on her right hand, a stud in her right ear, a watch with a black strap and silver face, and two rings: a cowrie shell-shaped ring on her right hand and a silver ring on her left pinky finger.

Without a name or identified family, the woman was eventually laid to rest in a common grave, per Sky News.

Among her belongings were a painting, a plastic bag labeled “CPNY,” £5.20 in cash, a disposable lighter, and an empty pack of Marlboro cigarettes.

One of the most notable items found was a weekly bus pass issued on October 26, 2004, at Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham, suggesting she was a regular commuter in that area.

Additionally, she had purchased a copy of The Guardian newspaper from the building where she was last seen.

Investigators also learned that she had been sitting in a workers’ canteen prior to her fall, hinting that she may have been familiar with the building.

This detail has led some to speculate that she could have been a contractor or cleaner associated with Wembley Point.

In a new twist, Locate International reported that the woman may have been seen outside the office building a week before her death, where she appeared visibly distressed.

According to the account, she told a man she was speaking with that her boyfriend was suffering from health problems. Investigators are hopeful this information could provide vital insights into her connections at the time, potentially leading to answers in the case.

Witnesses from the office building on the day of her fall reported that the woman appeared upset, further deepening the mystery around her death.

The organization believes that the woman may have been engaged with local cultural groups, possibly one supporting West African asylum seekers, around the time of her death.

They are also seeking anyone who was at Wembley Point on that day.

Locate International has outlined a series of questions for the public, hoping someone may have information that could provide a breakthrough:

• Do you recall someone with a girlfriend matching the woman’s description? Given reports that she had a boyfriend, friends or colleagues may have noticed her in their circles.
• Might you recognize her from work in healthcare, social services, church, or community outreach? She may have been involved in groups focused on trafficking victims or asylum support.
• Can you connect Locate International with businesses or services that work closely with the West African community near Seven Sisters?
• Do you know anyone familiar with community centers in North London who may have connections with African or Caribbean residents?
• Are you aware of anyone who worked at Wembley Point in 2004, particularly in security, cleaning, or contracting roles?

Anyone with information is urged to contact the charity on its website.

Featured image credit: Google Maps

In the realm of pet fashion, the latest trend hitting the headlines is not just controversial—it’s creating a stir among animal welfare experts and ethologists.

Enter the ‘Bullycat,’ a so-called new breed of cat that has sparked a serious debate about the ethics of prioritizing aesthetics over animal health.

It comes after the controversial rise in popularity of the XL Bully dog resulted in parliament introducing new sanctions against pet owners.

Pet owners of XL Bully dogs faced new government rulings earlier this year. Credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty

Since February 2024, it has become a criminal offense to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales without a special exemption certificate.

This law, enacted under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991, was a response to several incidents across the UK. According to BBC News, the new regulation prompted the submission of 61,000 exemption applications through the UK government’s portal before the deadline.

Now, the so-called “XL Bullycat” – emerging as the feline equivalent of the prohibited XL Bully dog breed in England and Wales – is making headlines.

The “XL Bullycat” – referred to more commonly on social media as “bullbino” – combines characteristics from two distinct breeds: the hairlessness of the Sphynx and the short legs of the Munchkin.

This genetic mix has resulted in cats that exhibit exaggerated traits such as “excess skin folds” and significantly shortened limbs.

The health implications for these felines are severe. Reports from The Telegraph and The Independent highlight that these cats are prone to a host of health issues, including serious skin conditions due to their excessive skin folds and intense joint strain from their disproportionately short legs.

Dr. Dan O’Neill – the Associate Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology of the Royal Veterinary College – points out the sad life expectancy of these cats, noting that Bullycats, like their Sphynx counterparts, may live significantly shorter lives than the average cat due to their engineered physical form.

“Bullycats are likely to suffer similarly shortened lives to those reported from a recent RVC VetCompass paper in Sphynx cats that lived just 6.7 years compared to an average of 11.7 years in cats overall,” Dr. O’Neill tells the Naturewatch Foundation.

“The advice to anyone thinking of acquiring a cat or a dog is to always put the welfare of the animal first and to stop and think before acquiring an animal with an extreme and unnatural body shape that does not exist commonly in nature,” Dr. O’Neil adds.

Dr. Grace Carroll from Queen’s University Belfast warns prospective pet owners of the risks associated with these designer breeds. She advocates for a shift towards ethical breeding practices that focus on the health and welfare of the animals rather than aesthetic appeal.

“Consumers hold purchasing power,” Dr. Carroll highlights. “We can discourage breeders from prioritising aesthetics over the health and welfare of the animals by refusing to buy breeds with extreme traits.

“A fashion toward ethical breeding could ensure future cats are healthier, happier and free to enjoy natural feline behaviour like climbing, jumping and lounging in the sun.”

She also stressed that, “Bully cats, being both hairless and short-legged, may face twice the number of challenges encountered by sphynx and munchkin breeds.”

Her advice is clear: “We should let cats be cats.”

Dr. Carroll’s warnings were echoed by a spokesperson from the charity Cats Protection, who told The Guardian: “Their short legs are a genetic defect which can lead to painful arthritis and cause problems with their general mobility.”

This sentiment is echoed by a 2018 study from Utrecht University, which found that breeds like the Sphynx – which often lack whiskers – face disadvantages in communication and spatial navigation, further complicating their ability to engage in natural feline behaviors, per The Conversation.

The RSPCA has been vocal about the rise of the Bullycat, urging cat lovers to consider adopting from shelters instead of purchasing from breeders.

A spokesperson for the animal welfare organization tells The Independent: “We understand that their emerging presence on social media may fuel a demand for these kinds of cats but we would urge fellow cat lovers to consider adopting the many rescue cats in our care instead of buying from a breeder.

“We would also urge breeders to prioritise the health and welfare of any animal over the way they look.”

And addressing the rise of the breed on social media the NatureWatch Foundation – which campaigns on animal welfare and investigates the illegal trade in animals – also tells The Guardian: “It’s shocking to see that these poor cats are starting to appear in the UK.

“We’ve seen increasingly extreme breeding practices in the dog world in recent years, and it appears unscrupulous people are now turning their attention to exploiting cats in the same way, all in the pursuit of greed and social media likes.”