Update: Neil Coulbeck allegedly killed himself by cutting his own throat. Does that happen very often?

Cause of banker's death still not clear

Detectives investigating the death of a NatWest banker, who was to be called as a defence witness in the trial of the NatWest Three, yesterday searched a recycling bin near his home for documents linked to the case. The body of Neil Coulbeck, 53, was found in parkland close to his home in Woodford Green, east London, on Tuesday morning.

Scotland Yard said last night that an initial post-mortem examination of his body, which may have lain undiscovered for five days, had proved inconclusive, and the results of toxicology tests were being awaited.

Curiouser and Curiouser.

Mr. Coulbeck, by the way, literally wrote the book on The Multinational Banking Industry

Enron case banker found dead

The body of Neil Coulbeck, 53, a former director of NatWest's stockbroking arm, was found in Epping Forest, Chingford, yesterday. There were reports that he had been hanging from a tree.

The Natwest Three - David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby - are accused of an £11m fraud involving collapsed US energy giant Enron, whose former boss died at his home last week.

Told of Mr Coulbeck's death today, Mr Bermingham said: 'It's absolutely terrifying. This has just gone to a completely new level.'

From Yahoo news

Bermingham — one of the "NatWest Three" — said Coulbeck was among several bank executives who had given statements to U.S. authorities in connection with their case.

He said Coulbeck had been "a thoroughly decent, honest, professional guy and a very experienced banker."

From The Guardian

A witness in the case of the NatWest Three who has been found dead in an apparent suicide had been "hounded" by the FBI, it has been claimed.

One of the NatWest Three said he "hoped to God" the death was not linked with his case - but there were claims that Mr Coulbeck had been under pressure after repeated meetings with US agents.