‘Petrified’ woman who moved to region to escape ‘abusive and violent’ ex is found dead
JESSICA LOUISE LAVERACK WAS JUST 34 WHEN SHE DIED, AN INQUEST HEARD
A WOMAN who moved to East Yorkshire to escape her “violent and abusive” ex-partner was “petrified” when he turned up at her new home, an inquest into her death has heard.
Jessica Louise Laverack, known as Jessie, moved to East Yorkshire from Rotherham in 2017, to escape her ex-boyfriend Patrick Walsh. Despite moving counties, Mr Walsh found out where Jessie lived and sent her a letter, before turning up unannounced.
Jessie was tragically found dead in Beverley on February 2, 2018. Her death was subject to a domestic homicide review - the first of such case in the East Riding.
These are held in cases where a death “has, or appears to have, resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by a person to whom they were related or with whom they were, or had been, in an intimate personal relationship, or a member of the same household as themselves”.
An inquest is taking place this week at Hull Coroners’ Court into the circumstances surrounding her death. The inquest heard on Wednesday how Jessie moved to East Yorkshire in the summer of 2017 to escape Mr Walsh who allegedly abused her and on one occasion is said to have grabbed her by the throat. An allegation which he denies.
Jessie’s case was classed as “high risk” at an East Riding Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) on September 5, that year.
It was in September of the same year that
Mr Walsh is said to have found out where Jessie had moved to.
The inquest heard he sent a letter to Jessie, before turning up outside. He is alleged to have tried to see and take Jessie’s pet dog, who she adored so much she had previously turned down staying at a women’s refuge because no pets were allowed.
An East Riding Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership (DVAP) worker noted in the course of her interactions with Jessie that she reported being “petrified” and scared of leaving her home after Mr Walsh had found out where she lived.
It was also reported that Jessie had suicidal thoughts during Autumn 2017 and was in touch with mental health services.
To try to increase her security and sense of safety, DVAP organised outdoor lighting, an alarm system and a Lifeline call to be available to Jessie at her home as did not want to move home again as she was settled where she was.
In an appointment with her DVAP caseworker a week prior to her death, Jessie indicated excitement for the future, including plans to work with Guide Dogs for The Blind.
She was also in the process of enrolling into rehab to tackle an addiction to alcohol.
A fundraiser tribute in aid of Mind was organised by her sister after her death and raised more than £1,700.
A fundraiser page said: “Tragically on February 2, 2018 I lost her so suddenly and unexpectedly, she was only 34.
“My life and family’s lives changed forever that day and we’re completely heartbroken. I don’t think I could ever describe the sadness and pain we feel as a family every second of the day.”
The inquest into Jessie’s death continues.