July 5, 2008
Eastleigh, Hampshire, England
David Phyall is found after decapitating himself with a chainsaw in protest to being forced to leave his home
Phyall’s apartment complex (pictured) was scheduled to be cleared to make room for redevelopment. Although his housing association attempted to relocate Phyall to new accommodations on eleven occasions, he refused each. Phyall’s body was found on July 5, dead from a “complete transection of the neck” from a self-inflicted chainsaw wound. Deputy coroner Simon Burge speculated, “I think he did it to draw attention to the injustice of his situation.”