An inquest into the loss of life of Alicia Douglass, 35, has taken place at Sheffield Coroner’s Court
The physique of a mum was found with a knife below her pillow weeks after her loss of life, an inquest has heard.
Alicia Douglass, 35, was discovered at her home in Wincobank in Sheffield on August 7, 2024. Alicia, a mum to a six-year-old daughter, was final seen on CCTV on July 23, Yorkshire Live reported.
South Yorkshire Police initially arrested her ex-partner, a 31-year-old male, on suspicion of homicide, however he was by no means charged and the investigation was closed.
Sheffield Coroner’s Court heard how police had been unable to precisely verify the reason for loss of life because of the decomposition of Alicia’s physique, nevertheless a pathologist estimated Alicia had been lifeless for “two to 4 weeks” earlier than she was discovered.
There was no proof of third-party involvement on the scene. Hannah Berry, assistant coroner, concluded the explanation for her loss of life was “open”.
Hayley Bates, Alicia’s cousin, instructed the courtroom: “She had a troubled life, however she leaves behind a six-year-old daughter. If there’s something she bought proper, it was being a mum to Ava.”
She added: “Alicia’s mum would really like a purpose for why her daughter died and to have the ability to inform Ava what occurred to her mum.”
Leanne Watts, one other cousin of Alicia’s, added: “We perceive the decomposition makes it troublesome to find out sure proof. The circumstances, to me, are suspicious in themselves. How are you able to clarify it?”
Evidence supplied by DS Liam Milner confirmed Alicia was final seen in July trying “yellow throughout” and very sick. DS Milner stated the police discovered her after she was reported lacking by a good friend.
She was mendacity throughout her mattress with a number of empty bottles of cider within the room. A knife was additionally discovered below her pillow.
The ex-partner was charged following a home abuse incident in February on July 25, simply two weeks earlier than Alicia was discovered. DS Milner admitted there have been considerations this was “the catalyst for one thing that occurred within the flat”.
However, DS Milner stated there was “nothing on the scene that indicated any third-party involvement”. He stated the police discovered “no proof” the ex-partner was concerned. He was launched and the investigation was closed.
A pathologist’s report highlighted considerations concerning bruising across the neck space resulting from a fractured larynx. However, because of the decomposition of the physique, it was not doable to find out whether or not this contributed to Alicia’s loss of life.
There was additionally proof she had taken painkillers, together with tramadol and mirtazapine, however the decomposition of the physique made it troublesome to find out the exact portions within the bloodstream.
Dr Lumb stated: “Although the larynx fracture was regarding, it was not doable to make certain of the reason for Alicia’s loss of life.”
A GP report stated Alicia suffered from alcohol and painkiller abuse, was a sufferer of sexual assault, and had made a number of makes an attempt to take her personal life. She had not been prescribed the painkillers present in her system.
Ms Berry stated: “Alicia was final seen alive on CCTV on July 23 on CCTV. She had been lifeless for a while, and her physique was decomposed. This made subsequent investigations troublesome. Dr Lumb was involved she could have been subjected to strain to her neck, however was unable to verify this.
“The police investigated this incident absolutely however didn’t discover something suspicious. The investigation discovered that associates and acquaintances reported Alicia was unwell. In explicit, she was yellow and was vomiting. She had reported she was struggling to eat and was very skinny.
“As a outcome, on the stability of chances, it can’t be stated how Alicia died. There are many doable explanations, however on the stability of chances, it simply can’t be stated. So, with respect to the reason for loss of life, I settle for that of Dr Lumb, unascertained.
“My conclusion to Alicia’s loss of life is open.”
