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 23 September

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

Beryl Carey

  • Age: 96
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 13.09.19
  • Time of inquest: 9.30am

Darren Kevin Watson

  • Age: 46
  • Place and date of death: Spain 10.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 10.15am

Michael James Terence Clancy

  • Age: 74
  • Place and date of death: Stoke Hospital 07.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 10.45am

Michael William Pullen

  • Age: 59
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham 13.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 12.15pm

Phillip Anthony Lodge

  • Age: 27
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham 10.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 2pm

Brenda Harper

  • Age: 83
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham 08.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 3pm

Shula Elizabeth Roberts

  • Age: 38
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham 17.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 4pm
Monday 28 September

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

Nicholas McKenna

  • Age: 51
  • Place and date of death: Prestatyn 23.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 10am

Arthur Price

  • Age: 76
  • Place and date of death: Flamborough 29.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 11am

Richard Wynn Williams

  • Age: 93
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 31.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 12 noon

John Graham Marshall

  • Age: 46
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham 06.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 2pm

Robert David Thomas

  • Age: 31
  • Place and date of death: Glan Clwyd 07.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 3pm

Mervyn Paynter

  • Age: 78
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 24.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 4pm
Tuesday 29 September

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

Dorathea Marubbi

  • Age: 91
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 10.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 10am

Peter Cedric Hughes

  • Age: 75
  • Place and date of death: Hawarden 09.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 11am

Sandra Davies

  • Age: 48
  • Place and date of death: Glan Clwyd 21.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 12 noon

Darren Marc Wood

  • Age: 52
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham 11.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 2pm

John Joseph O’Leary

  • Age: 87
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 11.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 3pm

Joanna Louise Chadwick

  • Age: 48
  • Place and date of death: Denbigh 22.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 4pm
Wednesday 30 September

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

Ashley Bernard Nickless

  • Age: 31
  • Place and date of death: Glan Clwyd 22.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 10am

Janice Lancellote-Heard

  • Age: 73
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham Maelor 18.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 11am

Natasha Warren

  • Age: 35
  • Place and date of death: Bagillt 17.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 12 noon

Joseph Lowe

  • Age: 79
  • Place and date of death: Rhyl 22.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 2pm

Peter Griffiths

  • Age: 55
  • Place and date of death: Wrexham 21.11.19
  • Time of inquest: 3pm

Harry Jacob Langton

  • Age: 22
  • Place and date of death: Holywell 21.10.19
  • Time of inquest: 4pm

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