A physically challenged artist found dead in Harrington Sound last year may have committed suicide, a coroner heard yesterday.

The body of Clyde Stovell, a renowned artist and physically challenged activist, was found strapped to his wheelchair submerged in seven feet of water by the Harrington Sound dock area on December 27, 1997.

Mr. Stovell was a paraplegic, having lost the use of his arms and legs in a motorcycle accident in 1978.

He had just come out of hospital a few days prior to his death after a ten-day spell on a ward suffering from a severe cold.

Investigating officer Alexander McDonald told Coroner Tyrone Chin that this was an "extremely tragic case'' and said there was no doubt Mr. Stovell took his own life, perhaps due to failing health.

He noted that although Mr. Stovell gave the impression of high spirits prior to his death, it seems he was actually in a depressed state.

He also testified that there was no evidence of foul play or of any other person involved.

And he read witness' testimony that Mr. Stovell had typed a note and left it on his computer screen shortly before his death.

Summerhaven employee Cheral Smith said Mr. Stovell issued a call for her during the afternoon of December 26, 1997.

After being attended to, Mr. Stovell began talking about a journey he planned to take the following day -- despite the fact that none of his belongings had been packed.

"He said he was going away... and he told me `all I need is already packed -- where I'm going, you will not be able to contact me','' she said.

Ms Smith told Mr. Chin that when she asked Mr. Stovell if he were OK, he responded: "I'm not feeling well and I'm very tired.'' Both Ms Smith and Summerhaven administrator Ianthia Wade testified that Mr.

Stovell had never shown any previous suicidal tendencies.

Nonetheless, the staff at Summerhaven treated his comments as an indication of severe depression and called his family.

But Mr. Stovell was discovered dead in Harrington Sound the following day with the motor on his wheelchair switched on in the forward position.

Pathologist John Winwick yesterday confirmed that Mr. Stovell's cause of death was consistent with drowning.

He said there was no evidence of any other person involved, although signs of a defensive injury may not have shown up in the autopsy because of his paralysis.

Mr. Stovell was a senior member of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association and widely known in art circles after learning how to paint by mouth.

And he was involved in promoting scuba diving for the disabled and pushing for other rights for the physically challenged.

Mr. Chin will return a verdict on the cause of death today at 11 a.m.