Overview

• David Parish, 38, absconded from Rydon Ward psychiatric unit in March 2023 through an unlocked door and killed 86-year-old Beryl Purdy in her Somerset home using a golf umbrella.
• Parish pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility and was sentenced to six years in prison, sparking criticism from the victim's family who called the sentence too lenient.
• Psychiatrists attributed Parish’s actions to cannabis-induced schizophrenia, though reports indicate his mental health has since stabilized.
• NHS Foundation Trust conducted a root cause analysis and implemented security upgrades at Rydon Ward following the incident, with investigations into the escape still ongoing.
• The case has fueled national debate on balancing patient rights, mental health care accountability, and public safety, with the Purdy family urging reforms to prevent similar tragedies.