Secret Affair of Parish Priest Revealed After Woman's Tragic Hotel Staircase Death
When Susan Philippart, a 61-year-old primary school teacher, slipped while ascending a hotel staircase with her partner and fell backwards, striking her head, the severity of her injuries prompted staff to immediately call emergency services. Rushed to intensive care, Mrs Philippart tragically passed away ten days later. Paramedic notes, which recorded that both she and her partner, Mansel Usher, had been drinking, formed the basis for police and coroner findings that her death was a straightforward accident requiring no further inquiry.
The Concealed Identity of the Partner
However, a critical detail remained undisclosed by Mr Usher throughout the investigation: he was not merely Susan's boyfriend but also her parish priest. Father Mansel Usher had initially been introduced to the divorcee in his clerical capacity to provide counseling ahead of her planned marriage to another man. This compromising information was kept from public view during the inquest but eventually reached Catholic Church authorities, leading to his forced departure from the priesthood.
Mrs Philippart's death occurred six years ago, just before Britain's lockdown, but Father Usher's dual role as priest and romantic partner has never been publicly revealed until now. The revelation stems from her adult children's persistent quest for answers about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Family Demands for a New Investigation
The Philippart family is now calling for a fresh investigation and further questioning of Father Usher, who they claim had promised to leave the priesthood to marry their mother. Susan, a devout Catholic and church fundraiser, had been divorced since 1990 but sought an annulment to marry her fiancé of 18 years, Dai Pearson. As part of the annulment process, she was directed to counseling sessions with Father Usher at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Swansea.
Instead of preparing her for marriage, Father Usher allegedly seduced her. Susan soon confessed to her family that she had fallen in love with the younger priest, who reciprocated her feelings, leading her to desire marriage with him instead of her fiancé. The pair conducted a secret affair, meeting regularly at country hotels outside his Welsh parish to avoid local scandal.
Intimate moments reportedly included Father Usher remarking, 'If only the congregation knew what I was doing with you right now.'Church Investigation and Safeguarding Breaches
Upon discovering the case, the Catholic Church found Father Usher had breached safeguarding standards by engaging in a sexual relationship with a parishioner he was counseling. A leaked document from the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Minevia outlined multiple violations:
- Father Usher allegedly had a close to potentially romantic relationship contrary to church policies.
- He failed to maintain clear personal boundaries in the workplace.
- He received gifts and/or money contrary to pastoral standards.
- His behavior undermined trust placed in him due to his position.
- He failed to disclose his priestly status to the coroner and police following Susan's death.
The Archdiocese confirmed Father Usher is no longer in active ministry and has no current connection to any Catholic Church. A spokesperson stated, 'As there is an ongoing canonical review it would be inappropriate to make any comment on this case.' Swansea Council also conducted a safeguarding hearing but refused to disclose details.
The Tragic Night of the Accident
The secret relationship only emerged after tragedy struck in March 2020, curiously on the evening following Susan's mother's funeral. The couple had booked into the Norton Hotel on The Mumbles, a popular nightlife area near Swansea. Susan had consumed wine at the wake before returning to the hotel for further drinks in the bar until between 11:30 PM and 11:45 PM.
Described as 'very tired' from the funeral's stress and fatigue, Susan followed Father Usher up the staircase in single file when she fell. Investigating officer PC Mike Jenkins noted at the inquest, 'It seems she lost her footing and fell backwards down the stairs but it was unwitnessed and there is no CCTV on the staircase.' The fall was deemed non-suspicious, and police were not called to attend.
Father Usher, a former carpenter, claimed he screamed for help after finding Susan motionless, with blood from her mouth, nose, and ears. However, he told the inquest he could not recall events precisely, stating, 'Having gone up several steps, perhaps even reaching the first landing I turned to Sue asking if she was OK, only to see her lying at the bottom of the stairs.'
Family's Unanswered Questions and Allegations
Susan's daughter, Rebecca Philippart, 43, is now urging police to reopen the case. She expressed, 'I can't let this go until I know what happened that night. There are a lot of unanswered questions including information from the hotel that she may have been moved because blood was found elsewhere.'
Rebecca highlighted concerns about the investigation's thoroughness, noting, 'The police never went to the scene, they took the word of a paramedic who thought it didn't look suspicious.' She described the staircase as not particularly narrow or steep, with carpet and lights on, questioning how such a fall could occur.
During Susan's time in intensive care at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, Rebecca alleges Father Usher behaved inappropriately, blurring roles between partner and priest. She claims he acted as next-of-kin to receive health updates, playfully slapped her unconscious mother's thigh, and used nicknames like 'Botticelli.'
Rebecca recounted, 'At the end he performed the last rites on her as a priest - and then added 'goodbye darling'.'She also revealed her mother had shared details of their sexual relationship, suggesting Father Usher seemed to 'get a kick' out of his double life. Rebecca added, 'Mum had strongly believed he shouldn't give up the priesthood for her and I know that was troubling her.'
Ongoing Quest for Answers
Rebecca expressed frustration over the lack of progress, stating, 'I feel that because there is a priest involved no one wants to look into this properly. I've been sent from pillar to post and no one really cares how my mum died.' She has requested police reopen the case three times over six years and visited the coroner twice, hoping for renewed scrutiny.
However, a South Wales Police spokesman responded, 'We can confirm that neither Ms Philippart's fall or death in 2020 were reported to South Wales Police and following a full coronial investigation later that year, a coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death. Concerns regarding this verdict are a matter for the Coroner.'
The coroner and Mr Usher have been contacted for further comment as the family continues their pursuit of clarity and justice in this deeply troubling case.
