THE DEATH of a talented Oxford musician more than two years ago remains an 'unsolvable mystery'.

The body of David Goldsworthy was found in Sunderland Avenue, North Oxford, on November 9, 2003.

The 40-year-old died from a single blow to the head, but despite police investigations and two post mortem examinations, the riddle of his death remains unsolved.

Investigating officers found no witnesses, no evidence of an assault or robbery and nothing to suggest he had been hit by a car.

Puzzled police even investigated the possibility that he was killed by falling ice from an aircraft.

A father-of-two, he was an accomplished musician who had appeared on Top of the Pops and at the Glastonbury Festival with his band The Chesterfields.

An inquest last week heard that Mr Goldsworthy, who was living with his parents in Lakeside, north Oxford, had been drinking with friends before his death.

In a statement read to the Oxfordshire Coroner's Court, Mr Goldsworthy's friend Kevin Mills said they had met others in the Dew Drop Inn, in Banbury Road, at 2pm.

Mr Goldsworthy had several pints of Guinness and moved on to the Grove Club, in Grove Street, before leaving to go home at 7pm.

The two men went their separate ways but Mr Goldsworthy was spotted in Sunderland Avenue shortly before 8pm.

At 8.28pm he was found dead by a passer-by. He was lying in the road close to a row of parked cars.

Sgt Dave Milsom told the inquest that all inquiries had proved unsuccessful.

He said: "The pathologists said it was one blow and would have needed immense force from a human being.

"We sent items for forensic examination including Mr Goldsworthy's hair and his backpack. Nothing was found, no paint, no glass. There was nothing at the scene, no debris to suggest there was a collision."

He said the parked cars were examined and no traces of blood or damage were found.

He added house-to-house inquiries in the area and inquiries with local garages failed to produce any leads.

Recording an open verdict, assistant deputy coroner Dr Richard Whittington said: "He may have crossed between parked cars and been struck by a vehicle but it's purely speculation.

"There is nothing to suggest an alternative view of assault, we really do not know what happened."

After the inquest Mr Goldsworthy's father Norman said: "It is a mystery which appears unsolvable, but it would not have brought David back."