Inquests into death overseas

Posted 26/06/2012

Coroners perform a hugely important role in ensuring a proper investigation into the death of anyone who dies in unusual circumstances. This doesn’t just apply to deaths in the UK; they will carry out an inquest in the same way for those who have died overseas and whose bodies are returned to the UK.The duty is to establish who the deceased was, and how, when and where death occurred. This may mean an extensive enquiry of witnesses, experts and a prolonged hearing such as in the cases of the Princess of Wales who died in France and Julie Ward who died in Kenya.Where death occurs in countries where local enquiries can be cursory and incomplete, it is of great reassurance for families to know that the Coroner will pursue investigations to the point that the core questions can be answered.We have recently been contacted in just such circumstances and will be working with the Coroner to give the family a full a picture as possible of how their loved one died. Knowing that they have the Coroner behind them gives them great support in a very difficult time.