LONDON - A coroner says the mysterious death of a British spy whose naked body was found inside a locked sports bag may never be solved.

Coroner Fiona Wilcox said Wednesday that it is unlikely the death of 31-year-old Gareth Williams would "ever be satisfactorily explained" as she began delivering an inquest verdict.

Williams worked for Britain's secret eavesdropping service GCHQ but was attached to the MI6 overseas spy agency when his remains were found in August 2010 at his London apartment, in the bag and inside a bathtub.