AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a man allegedly murdered near Southampton Common.

Gerald Pragnell was found in woodland off Cemetery Road, by Southampton Common, on Saturday, November 3.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard the preliminary cause of death for the 66-year-old, whose address was given as a houseboat moored in Shamrock Quay, off William Street, was “pressure to the neck”.

Senior coroner Grahame Short adjourned the hearing for a full inquest on May 17, 2019.

As previously reported, Tommy Scott, 34, of no fixed address, has been charged with Mr Pragnell’s murder.

In a three-minute hearing at Winchester Crown Court earlier this month, Scott spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, and nationality as British.

Judge Keith Cutler remanded Scott in custody and told him he would appear in person at the next hearing on January 11. A provisional trial date has been set for April 23, 2019.

Six other people have been released from custody but remain under investigation.

Mr Pragnell worked for APCOA Parking at Southampton Airport, where he was described as a valued employee whose death had left colleagues “tremendously saddened”.

Mr Pragnell had lived on houseboats in the River Itchen for more than 30 years.

Last December he appeared in an episode of the Channel 4 series My Floating Home, which followed the construction of a futuristic fibreglass vessel designed by his boatbuilder son Aidan.