FAMILY WILL NEVER GET ANSWERS ABOUT WHAT CAUSED NICOLA’S DEATH
THE family of a mum who died after being attacked in her own home will never get answers about what caused her death.
Nicola Bray, aged 45, was found dead on her sofa at her Cliffe Vale home in 2020.
She had injuries consistent with a violent assault and her attacker, Sheila Pickerill, was jailed after admitting a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent.
She claimed she attacked Nicola during an argument about ‘the last rock of crack cocaine’ and was never prosecuted in connection with Nicola’s death. Now, an inquest has heard evidence from a Home Office pathologist who concluded it was impossible to pinpoint what caused Nicola to lose her life.
North Staffordshire assistant coroner Daniel Howe recorded a narrative conclusion at the end of the inquest.
He said: “In this case, the cause of death is unascertained. Death resulted either from the toxic effects of drugs or postconcussive cardio-respiratory arrest from the assault, or a combination of the two.”