Eleanor Barnfield, 47, died from a stab wound to the heart after crashing her car in Bridgend, an inquest has heard. The housing association worker was found by paramedics with chest injuries following the crash on October 19 and later died in hospital.
Inquest opening details
The inquest opened at Pontypridd Coroner's Court, where a provisional cause of death was given as "stab wound to the trunk involving the heart". Clifford Foster, 61, has previously appeared in court charged with murder.
The coroner's office told the hearing: "South Wales Police received a report of crash in Bridgend on the 18th October 2026. The driver, Eleanor Barnfield, was found to have a stab wound to her chest by attending paramedics."
Crash and police response
Ms Barnfield crashed into a wall on City Road near the Ger-y-Nant retirement flats complex at around 12.43pm when she was reportedly trying to drive herself to hospital. She was taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital, where she later died.
The decision to charge Foster followed a "significant policing operation" around Ger-y-Nant, where he lived and which is managed by the Valleys to Coast housing association, where Ms Barnfield worked. He was remanded into custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on November 23.
Family and colleague tributes
Ms Barnfield's family described her as the "most loving" mother and the "bravest person in the world". In a tribute through police, they said: "Mum was the kindest, most loving bravest person in the world. She meant everything to us and will be forever loved and missed deeply by her devoted family and friends. She was our rock."
Valleys to Coast housing association chief executive Jo Oak said previously: "We are devastated by the tragic death of our colleague, Eleanor Barnfield. Eleanor was a much-valued member of the Valleys to Coast team, and her loss has been deeply felt by everyone who knew and worked alongside her.
"She made an important contribution to our organisation and to the communities we serve, and she will be remembered with great warmth and affection by her colleagues. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Eleanor's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time.
"We are doing everything we can to support those affected by her loss. We continue to co-operate fully with South Wales Police and, out of respect for Eleanor's family and the ongoing investigation, we will not be commenting further on the circumstances of her death at this time."
Coroner Rachel Knight adjourned the inquest pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.
