'Vulnerable' woman had human bite marks - inquest

An inquest heard Abbie Leigh Downing had been "covered in injuries and bite marks"

A "vulnerable" woman with learning difficulties whose death sparked a murder investigation died as a result of blood clots in her lungs, an inquest has found.

Abbie Leigh Downing's partner called an ambulance to her home on Plowmans Way in Wingfield, Rotherham, at about 03:45 BST on 25 August 2023 after she collapsed.

The 27-year-old was found to have serious injuries including 16 human bite marks and a bleed on her brain, but doctors said a causal link to her death could not be established.

Doncaster coroner Louise Slater told the hearing earlier that pulmonary thromboembolism was caused by deep vein thrombosis, which occurred "on a background of traumatic injuries and substance misuse".

Ms Downing's partner Robert Redfern was arrested on suspicion of assault the night of her collapse, and this was escalated to a murder arrest when she died.

He was released pending further enquiries and an investigation is ongoing in relation to assault and domestic matters.

A postmortem examination found Ms Downing had a black eye, splits to her lip, bite marks on her arms, hands and legs, and was "covered" in bruises.

Dr Philip Lumb, pathologist, said scarring to her lips "could indicate previous blunt force trauma caused by, for example, punches" but said he could not be sure.

He said a bleed on the surface of her brain, which had likely been there for two to three weeks before she died, "could come from a fall, but could come from a blow or blows".

The injuries were of "various ages and stages of healing", the inquest heard.

Cocaine, opioid painkiller buprenorphine and an "elevated level" of paracetamol were also found in her system.

Dr Lumb said substance misuse and physical injuries could have both caused a period of immobility, which increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

'Vulnerable and suggestive'

Ms Downing, who grew up in care then moved into supported accommodation, had been involved with rehabilitation services "sporadically" for a number of years.

She initially sought out support in September 2020, after nearly a year of using heroin and crack cocaine, which a partner had introduced to her.

Ms Downing had chromosomal abnormalities and had been diagnosed with global developmental delay, according to a statement from her half-sister, Sara Downing.

"She was vulnerable and didn't recognise signs of danger, which became an issue later on," she said.

Gail White, who previously worked at homelessness charity Roundabout, described Ms Downing as "vulnerable and suggestive".

She said she had been evicted from her previous home after a relative moved in and "took advantage".

Ms White said Mr Redfern would "always be there" during her visits to Mrs Downing and would be "disruptive and rude".

"Abbie would look at him before answering, as if asking permission," she added.

"I put to her that he could not be there [during visits] … he was not happy about this which showed in his demeanour, stance and swearing.

"I suggest he may have been controlling of Abbie and emotionally abusive. He was possessive of her."

'Harrowing'

In January 2023, Ms Downing reported an injured nose which she said she sustained three months earlier on a night out.

Mr Redfern told police the fracture had been due to her tripping over a dog bone, coroner Ms Slater said.

At his second police interview he gave no comment answers and denied being in a relationship with Ms Downing, she added.

"This is contrary to reports over the years and the witness statements police obtained," she said.

"Some of the injuries could be explained by way of a fall but many cannot, and on the balance of probabilities, were caused by physical assault."

Ms Slater thanked the family for their attendance at the inquest, which she said had covered particularly "harrowing" details.

A police spokesperson previously said Ms Downing's death was no longer being treated as suspicious.

Det Con Shaun Vine said enquiries were ongoing in relation to assault and domestic matters, adding it had been a "complex investigation".

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North