Stress of assault a factor in mum's death - doctor

Daniela Espirito Santo died as a result of an "acute deterioration of the heart"

A heart expert told an inquest the stress of an assault on a mother "contributed to her cardiac arrest".

Daniela Espirito Santo, 23, who had chronic myocarditis, died on 9 April 2020 after calling the police to report an assault by her ex-partner Julio Jesus.

Dr Richard Andrews gave evidence at Lincoln Coroner's Court and determined a link between the stress of the assault and her heart condition.

Police interviews with Mr Jesus after Ms Espirito Santo's death confirmed that he was aware of her condition and the stress-related risks.

A pathologist's report found Ms Espirito Santo died as a "result of acute deterioration of the heart".

Mr Jesus was initially arrested on 8 April and taken into custody after he was alleged to have pinned Ms Espirito Santo down and pushed his arm against her throat.

He then broke his bail conditions of not returning to the property or contacting Ms Espirito Santo by going back to the flat.

The inquest heard Ms Espirito Santo said she was "covered in redness" and that Mr Jesus was "pushing me out the way and stuff like that" when she called 999 again to report another domestic incident that evening.

Ms Espirito Santo had a "history of chest pain" linked to her heart condition

Giving evidence, Dr Richard Andrews, consultant cardiologist at Lincoln County Hospital, said that the second assault on Ms Espirito Santo on the evening of 8 April was a "more than minimal or negligent contribution towards her death".

"It's evident that moments before her cardiac arrest she [Ms Espirito Santo] was extremely emotionally distressed," he said.

He added that in his "very clear opinion", the emotional distress Ms Espirito Santo faced after the second assault "contributed to her cardiac arrest".

Dr Andrews said the first assault on the morning of 8 April "may have had a tiny contribution" but he finds that "difficult to weigh".

The inquest heard that Ms Espirito Santo had a "history of chest pain" and her diagnosis was consistent with the post-mortem carried out by Dr Francis Hollingbury.

Argument started

Extracts from police interviews with Mr Jesus explaining his account of events after he was bailed on 8 April were heard at the inquest.

Mr Jesus confirmed he had walked to Shaw Road when he left the police station, where his car was parked 200m to 300m away from the flat.

He then said he drove into town and went back to the flat after exchanging text messages with Ms Espirito Santo.

Mr Jesus claimed an argument was started by Ms Espirito Santo later that evening, which led to him trying to leave.

He denied any physical contact with Ms Espirito Santo when looking for his car key.

Mr Jesus said he "just opened the door" and "moved her to get out" of the flat.

A summary of the statement found that Mr Jesus claimed he "didn't use enough force to hurt her" but accepted that it "could've been enough to leave a mark".

The summary also found that Mr Jesus knew it could be "dangerous for Ms Espirito Santo to be stressed, upset or angry" due to her heart condition and he said she would regularly "feel dizzy".

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