Inquest to examine authorities' role before murder

A court heard Sarah Albone's relationship with Matthew Waddell had been described as "high risk"

An inquest into the murder of a woman whose body was hidden in a suitcase inside a wheelie bin will hear the role played by authorities in the run-up to her death.

Matthew Waddell was jailed for life with a minimum term of 32 years for killing his partner Sarah Albone at her home in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.

Emma Whitting, senior coroner for Bedfordshire and Luton, told a pre-inquest review that any contact Ms Albone had with the police and other emergency services would be considered.

In particular the full inquest will look at any contact which involved the actions of Waddell from 1 August 2021 until 27 November 2022.

Coroner Emma Whitting said Matthew Waddell would be on a list of interested persons involved in the full inquest

It will identify individual police officers, which Thom Dyke, the barrister representing Bedfordshire Police, said "was anticipated".

Any safeguarding and multi-agency referrals, as well as ambulance attendances and hospital admissions would also be considered, the review heard.

Inquiries would also be made with Ms Albone's mental health service provider and her housing association provider.

A court has heard the couple's "toxic relationship" began in November 2020.

Ms Albone, 38, had ended her relationship with Waddell in January 2021 because she felt he was emotionally controlling.

He returned to her home repeatedly and ignored his bail conditions after he was arrested for harassment.

She reported him for assault in December 2021 and, in a statement, catalogued his controlling and aggressive behaviour towards her.

Her remains were found in the taped-up bin at her home in Winston Crescent, Biggleswade, on 25 February 2023, three months after she was last seen.

A domestic homicide review into his murder is currently being carried out by Bedfordshire Police.

The next pre-inquest hearing is to be held on 7 May at Central Bedfordshire Coroner's Court.

No date has yet been set for the full inquest and no jury would be required as a criminal trial had already taken place, said the coroner.