Past head trauma could be related to woman’s death, inquest is told

THE death of a Derby woman “could be related to historic trauma to her head over a period of a number of years”, an inquest has heard.

Donna O’Toole, 44, of Chaddesden, died on June 8, 2020, at Royal Derby Hospital.

A post-mortem examination found her death to be a combination of pneumonia, sepsis and dementia.

The post-mortem also found her death to be caused by a progressive brain condition – chronic traumatic encephalopathy – thought to be caused by “repeated blows to the head”.

The inquest opening did not explain the circumstances surrounding Ms O’Toole’s head trauma, or who may have caused them.

The inquest was opened by Peter Nieto, area coroner for Derby and Derbyshire on Monday at Derby Coroner’s Court.

He said: “The reason I am opening an inquest is because the information provided to me, I have reason to suspect that Donna O’Toole’s death was not a natural causes death and this is based on a combination of the post-mortem findings and also some circumstantial evidence.

“Principally, the issue is that the death could be related to historic trauma to her head over a period of a number of years.”

In a statement from the coroner’s office, the inquest heard how Ms O’Toole died and was identified at Royal Derby hospital.

The statement said: “The death of Donna O’Toole was reported to us on June 9, 2020 by a Dr Awan at the Royal Derby hospital. She died on June 8, at that hospital. A standard post-mortem examination was carried out on June 16, by Dr Atwal and has given the cause of death as pneumonia with sepsis, dementia secondary to a neurodegenerative disorder and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.”

Coroner Nieto added: “There is an ongoing police investigation, principally in regards to the issue of historic head trauma and the police evidence from that investigation is awaited.”

The inquest has been adjourned with a review date of November 15, while police investigations continue.