Shimla | Enoxx News
Shimla, often celebrated for its colonial heritage and picturesque landscapes, continues to be a favored destination for international tourists, particularly from the United Kingdom. However, a routine holiday took a tragic turn late Friday night when an 86-year-old British national was discovered dead in a private hotel.
The deceased, identified as Barry Elvin Moss, was a resident of 46 Rutland Road in England. According to police reports, Moss had arrived in the hill station just a day prior to the incident, looking forward to a serene mountain getaway. He had checked into Room No. 103 at a popular hotel situated in the Lower Kaithu area, a neighborhood well-known for its quiet environment and proximity to the city center.
The unfortunate discovery was made around midnight. Hotel staff reported that Moss had retired to his room earlier in the evening. When they attempted to contact him later and received no response despite repeated and increasingly frantic knocks on the door, alarm bells began to ring. Fearing a medical emergency, the hotel management used a master key to gain access to the room. They found the elderly British citizen lying unconscious on the floor and immediately sent out a distress call to the local authorities.
A police response team, led by the Station House Officer (SHO) alongside the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), rushed to the scene. The officers swiftly transported Moss to the nearby Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC). Tragically, the emergency medical officers at IGMC declared him brought dead upon arrival.
Law enforcement agencies have since taken strict measures to preserve the scene. The hotel room has been completely sealed, and the keys have been secured for an impending forensic examination. The police are also thoroughly reviewing the hotel’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to track the deceased’s movements leading up to his death and to ensure no unauthorized individuals entered his room.
Preliminary investigations have largely ruled out any foul play. Officers on the ground noted that the room was locked from the inside, and there were no visible signs of a struggle. Authorities also confirmed that the tourist had consumed a small quantity of alcohol earlier that evening.
Currently, the body is being held in the IGMC mortuary awaiting a comprehensive post-mortem examination, which will establish the definitive medical cause of death. In accordance with legal protocols, the police have initiated inquest proceedings under Section 194 of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Furthermore, the authorities have officially notified the UK High Commission in New Delhi about the demise of their citizen. Further procedures, including the repatriation of the body or last rites, will be coordinated once detailed communication is established with the British embassy and Moss’s next of kin.
