THE grieving family of a solicitor found dying of stab wounds to the chest may never know whether he was murdered or killed himself, after his inquest ended in an open verdict today (Wednesday, January 7).

His widow wept today (Wednesday, January 7) as Peter Maine's husband’s inquest ended without establishing whether he was murdered or killed himself.

Joanna Maine had bravely given evidence at the inquest into the death of her late husband Peter, who was found with fatal stab wounds near Maiden Castle sports ground, Durham City, on the morning of Sunday, September 1, 2013.

Recording an open verdict on thge father-of-two, Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle praised her “stoical” conduct and behaviour.

But the devastated family are having to come to terms with the fact they may never know whether the three knife blows Mr Maine suffered to his chest were self-inflicted or at the hands of another.

The 56-year-old from Wynyard, near Billingham, was facing fraud charges but had shown no signs of despair.

No-one saw what happened, there were no signs of a struggle and the weapon has never been found.

However, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chapman said he hoped today’s verdict would allow the family to move forward.

The family said their happy and joyful memories of Mr Maine would continue to support them but they would likely have to carry the burden of not knowing what happened to their loved one for the rest of their lives.

Mr Tweddle said that the outcome of the inquest, though perhaps unsatisfactory to all concerned, was the only one appropriate for him to record.

“I cannot be sure beyond reasonable doubt that Peter Maine intended to take his own life,” Mr Tweddle told the inquest at Crook Civic Centre, County Durham.

“He might have done, but ‘might’ isn’t sufficient. There are too many uncertainties.

“He might have been killed by somebody else, but again ‘might’ isn’t sufficient.

“Therefore, without being critical of the police or their enquiries, this is undoubtedly a case where the evidence does not fully disclose the means by which this man came by his death. The only conclusion appropriate is an open verdict.”

What is known is that Mr Maine suffered three stab wounds to the chest, all close together and including two that pierced his heart, near Maiden Castle sports ground, on the outskirts of Durham, shortly before 8am on Sunday, September 1, 2013. Beyond that, much remains a mystery.

Durham Police initially believed they were dealing with a calculated murder. Days before his death, Mr Maine learned he was to face fraud charges; and when police drew up a list of people who might have wanted to harm him, it stretched to 65 names.

However, there were no signs of a struggle – either in the area or on Mr Maine’s body.

Later, police thought it might have been a random killing.

But despite the riverbanks being busy with Sunday morning runners, walkers, dog walkers and campers, they traced no-one who saw anything.

There was no evidence Mr Maine was robbed. He still had his Rolex watch, wallet and keys when found.

So, was it suicide? Perhaps, but Mr Maine’s body had none of the hesitant “prick” marks common to people trying to summon up the spirit to kill themselves and, crucially, the killer knife has never been found.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chapman, who led the investigation, said: “My initial hypothesis: it was murder and it was planned. Then, it was murder unplanned. Then, it was suicide.”

Mr Maine arrived in Durham around 7.30am and parked his Range Rover outside his old legal practice at 5 Old Elvet, which he was turning into student accommodation, and carried two chairs inside.

After moving his car to a parking bay and sitting for 76 seconds, the fitness enthusiast ran along Old Elvet, Territorial Lane and Elvet Waterside and across Baths Bridge.

Turning right, he ran along the bank of the River Wear towards Maiden Castle.

The path was blocked by a landslide, so he may have taken a diversion through woods.

CCTV footage from 7.42am showing him running along the river near Hild Bede College proved to be the last sighting of him alive and well.

Around 8am, a passer-by found him stabbed 40 metres from Maiden Castle footbridge and despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at 9am.

Police launched a murder-style inquiry and spoke to a large number of witnesses.

Two people remained untraced – a woman seen running near Pelaw Woods and a man in combat gear seen walking towards the Rose Tree pub, in Shincliffe, at 7.50am.

Detectives believe neither was involved, though DCI Chapman admitted he could not rule out the latter.

The senior officer said he was “surprised” no-one had seen Peter Maine, but was satisfied with the accounts given by those interviewed.

A major search was launched for the knife, with experts from the police, fire brigade and Northumbria Police’s underwater search team all involved. The operation was to last three months and cost £30,000.

Despite heavy rain in the week after Mr Maine’s death causing problems, six knives were found – including one unearthed in a nearby field by a metal detector enthusiast some months later.

Four of the weapons were ruled out quickly because of their size and type and the other two following forensic tests.

The police went to extremes to find the killer knife, DCI Chapman said, but there was “every chance” it went in the river.

“A river is as good a place as any to dispose of such a weapon,” he told the inquest, before suggesting it may have remained unfound due to the wide area police had to search, the scene being contaminated, the river current or human error.

As the investigation progressed, police narrowed down their list of people who might have wanted to harm Mr Maine to five, though some declined to assist their enquiries.

Officers studied lists of prolific offenders, “stop and search” subjects and people found carrying knives in the area in the previous 12 months, but still produced no suspect.

A search of Mr Maine’s home similarly offered little.

A high-level review of the police investigation found it to be robust, with no potential lines of enquiry overlooked, and the file was handed to the coroner, allowing for today’s inquest, with no criminal charges having been brought.

Speaking after today’s hearing, DCI Chapman said: “From the outset of this investigation, it was apparent it was going to be a very complex, detailed and lengthy inquiry, which has resulted in some significant searches, forensic activity and a number of people being spoken to.

“The verdict that has been reached by Mr Tweddle we hope will provide a platform for Joanna Maine and her family to be able to move forward at this very difficult time.”