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Camden News - by SARA NEWMAN
Published: 24 July 2008

Artist Valerie Vernon

Dead artist’s flat ‘was raided’

RELATIVES of an artist who died suddenly at her flat in West Hampstead believe thieves looted her home after her death, an inquest heard on Thursday.
Valerie Vernon, 42, known as Jane to her friends, was found dead at her flat in Gascony Avenue in October last year.
Her family told the St Pancras inquest they believe somebody may have taken a mobile phone, CDs and coffee after her death.
The court heard that builders had put up scaffolding, giving easier access to Ms Vernon’s home.
Police called to the flat by the dead woman’s daughter Bianca found her collapsed in the bathroom. There was no sign of a break-in and a forensics officer did not find any marks of violence or abuse.
Neighbours reported they had heard a “loud bang” the morning before.
An autopsy found Ms Vernon had died from liver failure.
Her daughter Bianca said she had seemed well two days before her death.
She told the inquest: “Things of hers have gone missing and we have since found a receipt that doesn’t belong to her.”
Coroner Dr Andrew Reid said: “I cannot exclude the possibility someone has entered her property and stolen items after the deceased’s death.”
Dr Reid said that on the evidence he had death was due to natural causes.
The dead woman’s mother, Joan Vernon, who lives in nearby Worcester Mews, told the New Journal: “The scaffolding was up until January and all that time the window was still unlocked.”
A police spokesman confirmed they had spoken to the family after the inquest and were awaiting further details.
Her brother Vincent Vernon said she was a great still-life artist, and added: “If you told her a problem she could picture it – she could never do enough for you.”

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