After thorough investigation over the last few months, Mr. Dawlish's death has been ruled a tragic accident. While the circumstances under which he was discovered initially suggested foul play was involved, it seems this was ultimately not the case. The series of events leading to the sudden appearance of the deceased in his study explain away what seemed like suspicious circumstances at first glance.

The late Chief Warlock appears to have spent the week of New Years in a French chateau. It was apparently not unusual for him to leave abruptly and without informing his household staff and so his absence was not considered particularly concerning at first. The unpacked suitcase found in the study suggests that Mr. Dawlish had just returned home when the accident occurred. It seems a letter opener was knocked from his desk and this went unnoticed until he stepped on it and slipped. As he fell, he hit his head on the edge of his desk. This did not kill him immediately, however, but certainly impaired his movements.

It is believed he tried to use the desk to pull himself back onto his feet but instead dislodged a marble bookend which resulted the second and fatal blow to the head. He would have died within a couple minutes of this last injury.

The family of the late Mr. Dawlish said they were pleased that his memory will not be marred by a murder investigation and hope that now that the circumstances of his death have been uncovered, that he will be able to rest in peace.