Landlord identified (From Free Press Series)

Landlord identified

POLICE yesterday confirmed that a body found in Pontypool Park was that of missing town landlord George Wait.

Mr Wait went missing from his home in Brynwern on December 10, after heading to Pontypool Park for a walk.

Police revealed yesterday the popular ex-military man died from a massive heart attack.

His widow Susan Wait said she had been through "the worst four weeks of her life."

The couple had known each other practically all their lives and even went out with each other as high school sweethearts, before getting married 14-years ago.

Mrs Wait said: "It's so unreal at the moment. The three weeks he was missing were awful, but I just knew he was up there. When they came to tell me the policeman was wonderful and all the way through they kept me informed all the time."

Mrs Wait is licensee of The Forgehammer pub in Brynwern, where Mr Wait worked behind the bar.

"I knew that George wouldn't have gone anywhere else, he went for a walk that morning and when he didn't get in touch I knew something was wrong. I was worried that he had had an accident.

"The coroner said that he had died from a massive heart attack and it was a relief in one way to know that he hadn't fallen down and hurt himself. It's such a shock because no-one knew that George was ill, he hadn't been to the doctors for five years and he didn't smoke," she added.

Mr Wait's body was found at the bottom of the park in an overgrown area at about 1.45pm on Friday December 23.

Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Mr Wait's funeral is taking place at Nicholas Street Methodist Church, Pontypool on Thursday morning, followed by a burial at Panteg cemetery at 11.30am.

The Royal Regiment of Wales Association will be doing a guard of honour for Mr Wait, who once served with the regiment.

Mrs Wait said: "Everyone has been fantastic I know they were all very concerned after the article went in the paper. I want to thank all my staff, the police and everyone who knew him."