Vic 'murder' victim died from horrific genital injury, inquest is told as medic remains on bail
Valerie Kneale, 75, was admitted to hospital after a stroke and, after breaking her leg when falling out a chair, died four days later.
Resort coroner Alan Wilson told the inquest: “Concerns had been raised about a potential injury around the genital area” and said that, while a post-mortem examination revealed Mrs Kneale had suffered a serious stroke, it did not kill her.
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Hide Ad“[The pathologist] said that was due to an internal and external haemorrhage which was in turn due to a vaginal laceration or tear.”
The inquest was adjourned while detectives continue to investigation, having in March arrested a medic – suspended by hospital bosses – on suspicion of murdering Mrs Kneale, two rapes, and a sex attack on a colleague.
He was later bailed, and then re-bailed until Thursday, June 3.
The injuries on Mrs Kneale’s body were found while autopsies were being carried out as part of a long-running poison plot probe, which was launched in November 2018 after a whistle-blower raised the alarm.
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Hide AdEight potential victims – feared to have been given prescription-only drugs to keep them heavily sedated at night – have been found, with seven medics quizzed and released under investigation.
The drug, Zopiclone, is widely used and, when used properly, is perfectly safe.
A “number” of post-mortems were carried out, police said, though the force has remained largely tight-lipped throughout the investigation.
One daughter, who was told to cancel her dad’s funeral so tests could be done, said: “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
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Hide AdMrs Kneale died on November 16, 2018, with her death declared suspicious by murder squad detectives the following February.
Police said she had died from bleeding “caused by a non-medical-related internal injury”.
“We as a family are completely and utterly devastated and heartbroken,” Mrs Kneale’s loved ones, who did not attend the inquest, said in a past statement. “Val was the most precious wife, mother, and grandmother.”
Mr Wilson said: “It is clearly necessary for this court to further adjourn the investigation ... in order to allow the police to continue with their investigations.”
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