Pre-inquest review into death of teenagers in Bridport

But families of the pair who died will have to wait until next spring until there are any answers as the date for a full inquest has been provisionally set for March, 2025.

A number of agencies are involved in the inquiry and the coroner has requested various documents.

It comes after another pre-inquest review hearing was held into the deaths of Jack Michael Williams, 18, and Katherine Susan Jane Powell, 17.

They were found in Bothenhampton Nature Reserve on the morning of Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

It was previously heard that Jack, of Bridport, and Katherine, of Kenilworth, Warwickshire, had been arrested days earlier.

At the hearing yesterday, Dorset coroner Brendan Allen asked for evidence, policy and statements from police and other agencies involved.

Dorset Police had previously been in contact with both of the teens before their deaths - following Mr Williams’ arrest on November 22, 2021, and Mr Williams’ and Miss Powell’s arrest on January 19, 2022.

The hearing was attended by representatives from both Dorset and Warwickshire police forces, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Dorset Healthcare, Dorset Council and Warwickshire Council.

The families of both teenagers, and their legal representatives, were also present via video link.

Mr Allen said the inquest would investigate a number of actions undertaken by the involved parties.

This includes the situation of the two teens before the arrests, and also police actions during the arrest.

This further includes communication between the police forces once Katherine was reported missing by a family member. Mr Allen requested statements from both Dorset Police and Warwickshire Police on this matter.

The care given, and reports made, by Dorset Healthcare is another matter that will be scrutinised.

It was not decided if a jury would be required at the full inquest. A decision on this is expected at the next hearing, scheduled for February 6 next year.

The full inquest is provisionally scheduled to take place over two weeks starting from March 24, with room for an additional week if required.

When the inquest was first opened in February 2022, it was heard that emergency services were called to the nature reserve, in Wych Hill, and the pair were confirmed dead by paramedics at the scene.

It was established the provisional cause of death - following initial examinations - was hanging.

Senior coroner Rachael Griffin previously heard that there was no third-party involvement in the deaths of either teenager.

If you or someone close to you has been affected by this incident or others, there is always someone to talk to.  

Contact the Samaritans on 116 123 free at any time, on any phone.

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