Inquest into the death of AX

70y · Female·Cause of death could not be determined - available evidence does not allow a finding on the balance of probabilities

A 70-year-old woman died unexpectedly at home in August 2017. Initially certified as hypertensive heart disease without autopsy, the death was later investigated as a potential homicide following allegations by her former husband that her son may have administered a lethal drug. The inquest examined purported conversations where the son discussed euthanasia, financial irregularities suggesting possible motive, evidence regarding a doctor in Taylor Square, and laptop deletion attempts. However, the medical evidence supports natural causes (hypertensive heart disease or coronary artery disease) while non-medical circumstantial evidence raised competing theories of possible poisoning. The coroner found insufficient evidence to determine cause of death on the balance of probabilities, with both natural and non-natural causes remaining reasonably open. Key lessons include: the importance of proper scene investigation by forensic specialists rather than general police, the need for contemporaneous note-taking when interviewing key witnesses, the limitations of issuing coroner's certificates without adequate medical investigation, and the critical need for external examinations and toxicology sampling when sudden unexpected deaths occur in potentially suspicious circumstances.