Key details as Libby Squire inquest opens
PAWEL RELOWICZ OFFICIALLY LINKED TO THE INVESTIGATION FOR FIRST TIME
Floral tributes at the bench where Libby was last seen AN inquest into the death of Hull student Libby Squire opened yesterday.
Libby, 21, was tragically found in the Humber Estuary on Wednesday, March 20, seven weeks after going missing.
She had been missing after last being seen on a bench on the corner of Haworth Street and Beverley Road just after midnight on February 1.
Libby had been turned away from the Welly Club, in Beverley Road, on January 31, before a taxi took her to her home in Wellesley Avenue at about 11.30pm.
Police do not believe she entered the property, though, and instead walked back onto Beverley Road, where she was believed to be until 12.09am.
Detectives were unable to find what had happened to her until her body was tragically found in the Humber Estuary on Wednesday, March 20.
At Hull Coroner’s Court yesterday morning, an inquest into her death was opened by Professor Paul Marks, senior coroner for Hull and the East Riding.
Opening the inquest, Professor Paul Marks said: “It’s my sad duty to have to open this inquest touching on the sad death of Libby Squire.
“She was born in High Wycombe and sadly died on March 20 near Spurn Point, at the mouth of the River Humber.
“This inquest will look for evidence of ID and summary of the police investigation so far.”
The court heard evidence from Catherine Land, of West Yorkshire Police, who said there was “no doubt” the body found in the river was Libby’s.
She said her identity was established through friction ridge fingerprints of pictures of Libby which were then compared to her body.
Detective Superintendent Martin Smalley, leading the investigation into Libby’s disappearance, was also called to give evidence.
Five days after Libby went missing, police announced they had arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of abduction after officers had descended on his home in Raglan Street, west Hull.
Det Sup Martin Smalley confirmed