Mother ‘died’ day she killed her partner – inquest told

A WOMAN who stabbed her partner through the heart during an argument “died the day he died”, an inquest has heard.

Hilary Anne Castillo, 55, died at her home in Llanrumney, Cardiff, on February 2.

At an inquest held at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court on Thursday the hearing was told she suffered various health problems during her life.

She was single at the time of her death and went to prison 28 years ago after she killed her partner.

Her family said this had a big impact on the way she lived the rest of her life.

Assistant Coroner Christopher Woolley read a statement on behalf of her daughter, Anna Marie Castillo.

The statement read: “My mum and dad had an argument and this resulted in my mother stabbing my father in the heart and killing him. “She died the day my father died. “My mum was a wonderful mother – we had a lovely home and a good life.”

Anna Marie said she lived with her grandmother when her mother went to prison.

But when she was released from prison Ms Castillo continued to care for the children.

The court heard she was a regular drug user and used a variety of substances.

“She was diagnosed with HIV,” her daughter added.

“She took it in her stride but we were devastated.”

At the end of last year Ms Castillo suffered from a stroke and a heart attack, and this was said to have made her change her outlook on life.

Her daughter Anna Marie said: “She told us she was a drug addict and told us she took heroin and other drugs. “She was really making progress. “She was a loving mother – she just had a hard time.”

Anna Marie said she last saw her mum in January when she gave her some money.

She gave her £30 as the family were giving her cash in stages in the hope it would help to combat her addiction.

“I told her I was so proud of her and was going to take her out for food,” she added.

“On February 2 I had a call from my brother, Liam, and he said mum was dead.”

After the body was discovered an ambulance arrived at the scene within eight minutes and paramedics checked the body for a heart rate but the inquest heard it was clear she had died.

Ms Castillo’s medical records show she was known to have various health conditions such as epilepsy, depression and IBS.

The court also heard she was diagnosed with HIV in 2011 and was admitted to the University Hospital of Wales last year before being discharged in January this year.

A pathologist’s report confirmed she was taking medication that was prescribed for her and also found there was scarring on the lining of the pancreas.

Pathologist Dr Thomas Hockey said a toxicology report also found a trace of cocaine in Ms Castillo’s system, although he highlighted this was only enough to be associated with recreational use.

He concluded the medical cause of death was dihydrocodeine toxicity.

Mr Woolley accepted the medical cause of death when concluding the inquest.

He said: “On May 11, 1990, after an argument, [Ms Castillo] killed her partner and was convicted of manslaughter.

“When she came out of prison she adopted a drugs lifestyle and there was nothing the family could do to stop her.

“Around Christmas-time she had a stroke and a heart attack.

“This changed her. The family told her to stop the drug-taking and that they loved her.

“She had coped with her medication and it was purely for pain.

“She took more dihydrocodeine than was prescribed and it’s been stated that her state of mind may have been impaired by the pain or other drugs she was taking.

“I will record in my conclusion that this was an accidental death.”