A MAN who went missing eight years ago died of “asphyxiation” in machinery at his place of work, a jury ruled today.

Over three weeks the inquest into the disappearance of New Zealander Lee Sheppard heard how he vanished on January 31, 2003, while working a night shift at European Metal Recycling (EMR) in Willesden.

Mr Sheppard, who would have turned 34 last month and his wife, Juliet Sheppard, 31 came to England in April 2002 as part of a working holiday.

The couple, who were living in Cricklewood, had found out they were expecting their first child, Jaden Lee, just days before Mr Sheppard’s disappearance.

A nine strong jury gave the verdict Mr Sheppard died inside either a conveyor or QZ, which was part of the plant’s machinery to crush refrigerators during its recycling process.

The jury ruled Mr Sheppard died in the accident due to lack of oxygen between 2.30am and 9.15am the night he went missing.

The coroner at North London Coroner’s Court Peter Straker thanked the jury for their work on the inquest.

Addressing Mr Sheppard’s family he said: “You know you have my sympathies both at the loss you have endured and also with the manner with which you have been bereaved.”