Road in Pembroke revealed he died because of sea water drowning.

But Magistrate Edward King said it was unclear as to how Oris Trott, 65, came to be in the water.

The autopsy report listed a number of cuts and bruises which were found on Mr.

Trott's body but suggested that they were caused when his body was dragged along the rocks during the recovery process.

"There is no evidence as to how he got into the water,'' said Mr. King. "I am unable to find whether this was an accident, homicide or suicide.

"I know how he was found, when he was found, but I don't know how he came to be in the sea.

"My verdict must be an open one.'' Mr. Trott's family thanked Mr. King for his efforts and left the court room.

They later said: "That was the only question we wanted answered. How he came to be in the water?'' Mr. Trott was seen at the bottom of the cliffs at Bluck Point Road by gardener Antonio Pimental on the morning of June 30 last year after going missing the previous day.

He had a bad memory and often wandered away only to be brought back home to the house he shared with his sister in Pembroke by Police or neighbours.

The court had heard earlier that Mr. Trott was blind in one eye and half blind in the other and was probably suffering from Alzheimer's disease but was awaiting a diagnosis at the time of his death.

Mr. Trott first went missing when he left home to get some cigarettes from Soares store but by 5 p.m. he had not returned and his family became worried.

Police were notified and an extensive search was made but Mr. Trott was not discovered until the following morning.

Mr. King offered his condolences to the Trott family and again stated that an open verdict was his only option as he had no definite answers as to the question of how Mr. Trott came to be in the water.