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'I'll solve my daughter's death riddle
A GRIEVING mother has vowed to find the truth behind the mysterious violent death of her daughter after a coroner recorded an open verdict.
Although three others were in the open-plan, one-bedroomed flat in Kentish Town where Tanya Duncan, 31, suffered fatal head injuries and a fractured skull following a drinking binge, no-one could explain how she died.
Despite a detailed police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service ruled there was not enough evidence to pursue a criminal case.
Following coroner Dr Andrew Reid’s ruling of an open verdict on Thursday, Ms Duncan’s distraught mother Tina Friday told of her disbelief. She said: “I’m determined to find out the truth. I’m not satisfied at all. I’m 55 and I’m not going to rest as long as I live, I’m going to dig and dig – I can’t let my daughter rest until I find out. The police should have tried a bit more.”
Her brother Glenn Wilson paid tribute to his sister who he said “had one terrific personality”, adding: “She’s always been happy-go-lucky. She enjoyed life, always knew how to get people laughing and dancing.”
Ms Duncan, a mother of two, lived in the Mansfield Road flat with her husband and father. She died on April 8 – three days after her mystery accident.
St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard different recollections of what may have happened to her.
Ms Duncan spent a drunken afternoon with her father, husband and a family friend, before retiring to bed. Her father Ray Pettifer told the court: “I was asleep most of the time. I didn’t see my daughter lying beside me, me being half-drunk.”
David Ramsey, who was also in the flat, said: “She went to bed and was sleeping. About 8.30pm we saw her lying on the floor but I didn’t see her fall. She was just lying on the floor. We heard this bang, I can’t remember what time, I was drinking. When I left her she was alright.”
DS Paul Lincoln, of Holborn CID, said Tanya’s husband, John Duncan had given a different account, saying an investigation was launched after the hospital voiced concerns over her injuries. Mr Duncan was later arrested and questioned but no charges were laid.
DS Lincoln said: “There was a bit of a drinking spree going on. Mr Duncan was aware of a large thud, Tanya came flying on to the floor in the living room. He says he picked up Tanya with David’s assistance and put her in the bed.”
Ms Duncan was taken to the Royal Free Hospital, where she died.
The police officer told the court: “We’ve collected all the evidence we can and submitted reports to the Crown Prosecution Service. They said they didn’t feel there was enough evidence to take further action.”
Pathologist Dr Kevin Sharrocks said Ms Duncan’s death was due to a severe head injury adding: “The right side of the head was struck with considerable force.”
Verdict: Open |
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