Investigation and inquest
On 28 July 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Amanda Hawkins, 44 years of age. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 25 November 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was Ia Unascertained with an open verdict.
Circumstances of the death
The deceased was 44 years of age and had a long standing diagnosis of schizophrenia. Due to closure of rehabilitation placements she had been obliged to move three times over three years each time resulting in a step-down in her level of care and a change of care co-ordinator. In June 2013 she transferred to 17 Moxley Court Wednesbury West Midlands, where she was free to come and go as she chose. Her history did not indicate any risk of suicide or self-harm but she did have a history of returning late to the accommodation and had done so on the 22nd May 2014. She was last seen at her accommodation at 09.00 hours on the 30th May 2014 and was reported missing by her mother at 21.51 hours on the 30th May 2014 to West Midlands Police. An ongoing search was failed to find her and her naked decomposed body was found by passers-by at 1820 hours on the 22nd July 2014 in a copse adjacent to a disused railway line off Meerash Lane Hammerwich close to where she had last been seen getting off a bus. Post mortem and toxicology examination found signs suggestive of hypothermia, quetiapine in the liver of uncertain significance and no obvious signs of trauma. The cause of death was unascertained.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) The moves following closure of various homes or changes in funding and step down in-services offered to Amanda resulted in her increased vulnerability.
(2) Hospital appointments were sent to Amanda at her home address when she did not have sufficient understanding to deal with correspondence. Care co-ordination workers were not made aware of missed appointments and there was therefore no follow up. Lack of follow up for essential appointments led to her increased vulnerability.