A seven-member jury today returned an open verdict in the Coroner’s Court at the end of the inquest to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Mandeville businessman, 33-year-old Jason Neil.

After a half-hour deliberation the foreman informed Coroner Monique Harrison of the jury’s decision.

Justice Harrison told the Court that the verdict has brought the matter to an end, as there was insufficient evidence to determine the cause of death resulting from a gunshot wound to be murder or suicide.

However, she said if more evidence surfaces, then the matter can be reopened.

In December 2018, Neil was found with a gunshot wound in the bathroom of his home in the Ingleside community.

Police reports are that his then-pregnant wife heard an explosion and when she went to investigate, Neil was allegedly seen on the floor with his licensed firearm beside him.

He was pronounced dead at hospital.

His father Bunny Neil expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the matter.

Meanwhile, Christopher Honeywell, the attorney who represented Jason Neil’s widow and her family also welcomed the verdict.

He said the matter was painful to the widow’s family.