Coroners

Coroners record and investigate sudden, unexpected and violent deaths. Her Majesty's Senior Coroner for North Wales (East and Central) covering Denbighshire, Conwy, Wrexham and Flintshire, is Mr John Gittins LL.B (Hons) Solicitor.

Not all deaths are reported to the coroner, in most cases, a GP or hospital doctor can issue a Medical Certificate of the cause of death so that it can be registered by the registrar. 

When is a coroner involved?

A death should be reported to the coroner when a doctor knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that the death: 

  • Occurred as a result of poisoning, the use of a controlled drug, medicinal product, or toxic chemical; 
  • Occurred as a result of trauma, violence or physical injury, whether inflicted intentionally or otherwise;
  • Is related to any treatment or procedure of a medical or similar nature;
  • Occurred as a result of self-harm, (including a failure by the deceased person to preserve their own life) whether intentional or otherwise;
  • Occurred as a result of injury or disease received during, or attributable to, the course of the deceased person’s work;
  • Occurred as a result of a notifiable accident, poisoning, or disease;
  • Occurred as a result of neglect or failure of care by another person;
  • Was otherwise unnatural.

The coroner should also be informed where:

  • The death occurred in custody or otherwise in state detention – of whatever cause;
  • No attending practitioner attended the deceased at any time in the 14 days prior to death or no attending practitioner is available within a reasonable period to prepare an MCCD; 
  • The identity of the deceased is unknown;
  • The cause of death is unknown.

When a death has been reported to the coroner the registrar must wait for the coroner to finish his enquiries before the death can be registered. These enquiries may take time, so it is always best to contact the coroner’s office before any funeral arrangements are made. 

What does the coroner do?

Coroners will look to establish the medical cause of death. If the cause remains in doubt after a post mortem, an inquest will be held. If the examination shows death to have been a natural one, there may be no need for an inquest and the coroner will send a form to the registrar of deaths so that the death can be registered by the relatives and a certificate of burial issued by the registrar.

Inquests

An inquest is held to record:

  • Who the deceased was
  • When, where and how he or she came by the medical cause of death 

When a conclusion is reached, the coroner records the details needed for the registration of the death.

An inquest does not determine any question of civil liability or criminal liability on the part of a named person.

Forthcoming inquests

Select a date to see inquests taking place that day:

It is an offence to make any recordings or take photographs within the Court Room or the Court building.
Wednesday 18 May 2022

Inquest location: Coroner’s Court, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1YN

Janet Evans

  • Age: 55
  • Place and date of death: Glan Clwyd 04/06/2021
  • Time of inquest: 10am

Lisa Ann Roberts

  • Age: 49
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 15/12/2021
  • Time of inquest: 11:30am

William Charles Evans

  • Age: 79
  • Place and date of death: Glan Clwyd 23/8/2020
  • Time of inquest: 2pm
Tuesday 24 May 2022

Inquest location: Coroner’s Court, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1YN

Raymond Gillespie

  • Age: 83
  • Place and date of death: Colwyn Bay 23/10/2021
  • Time of inquest: 10am

Michael David Plumb

  • Age: 36
  • Place and date of death: Gungannon 18/7/2021
  • Time of inquest: 2pm

George Henry Bostock

  • Age: 89
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 16/2/2021
  • Time of inquest: 3pm

Daniel Gary Hampton-Hanlon

  • Age: 3 Months
  • Place and date of death: Rhyl 19/4/2021
  • Time of inquest: 4:30pm
Wednesday 25 May 2022

Inquest location: Coroner’s Court, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1YN

Irene Boycott

  • Age: 89
  • Place and date of death: Glan Clwyd 5/12/2021
  • Time of inquest: 10am

Robert Shorthose

  • Age: 74
  • Place and date of death: Glan Clwyd 27/2/2022
  • Time of inquest: 11am

Stephen David Owen

  • Age: 47
  • Place and date of death: Colwyn Bay 9/12/2021
  • Time of inquest: 12 noon

Stephen James McNally

  • Age: 66
  • Place and date of death: Flint 16/11/2021
  • Time of inquest: 2pm

Veronica Beryl Newsham

  • Age: 96
  • Place and date of death: Holywell 7/9/2021
  • Time of inquest: 3pm

Gary Croft

  • Age: 55
  • Place and date of death: Towyn 15/12/2021
  • Time of inquest: 4pm
Thursday 26 May 2022

Inquest location: Coroner’s Court, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1YN

Pauline Miller

  • Age: 77
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 7/12/2021
  • Time of inquest: 9:45am

Beycan Ali

  • Age: 3 Months
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 6/3/2021
  • Time of inquest: 10:30am

Brenda Emily Mannall

  • Age: 92
  • Place and date of death: Glan Clwyd 13/1/2022
  • Time of inquest: 11:15am

Peter Sydney Hayward Neal

  • Age: 83
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 26/1/2022
  • Time of inquest: 12 noon

Beryl Agnew

  • Age: 83
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 10/12/2021
  • Time of inquest: 12:30pm

Ben Christopher Harrison (Pre-Inquest hearing)

  • Age: 37
  • Place and date of death: Glan Clwyd 18/12/2020
  • Time of inquest: 2pm

Rhian Woods

  • Age: 57
  • Place and date of death: Betws y Coed 12/12/2021
  • Time of inquest: 4pm
Friday 27 May 2022

Inquest location: Coroner’s Court, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1YN

Christine Sylvia Riley

  • Age: 73
  • Place and date of death: Glan Clwyd 10/2/2022
  • Time of inquest: 10am

Frank Thomas

  • Age: 78
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham 22/12/2021
  • Time of inquest: 11am

Harry Raymond Elwy Griffiths

  • Age: 71
  • Place and date of death: Rhyl 14/12/2021
  • Time of inquest: 12 noon

Winifred Marie Pedder

  • Age: 88
  • Place and date of death: Llandudno Hospital 8/9/2021
  • Time of inquest: 2pm

Enid Wyn Rich

  • Age: 56
  • Place and date of death: Mold 18/12/2021
  • Time of inquest: 3pm

Registration of Deaths

If the coroner decides that it is necessary for an inquest to be held, then the death will not be registered until the inquest has been completed, however an Interim Death Certificate will be issued by the coroner pending full registration.

At the conclusion of the inquest the coroner will register the death with the registrar for the area where the death occurred. The register offices for North Wales (East and Central) are:

The Coroner's Office

You can contact the Coroner's Office using the details below:

Address:
HM Coroner’s Office
County Hall
Wynnstay Road
Ruthin
LL15 1YN

Email: coroner@denbighshire.gov.uk  

Telephone number: 01824 708 047