The peaceful seaside town of Bexhill-on-Sea was shattered by a brutal and random act of violence that claimed the life of a much-loved mother and NHS nurse, a coroner's inquest has heard.
Leah Ware, 51, was ambushed and killed by a complete stranger, Jason Taylor, 53, who slit her throat in a sudden and unprovoked attack as she walked along a quiet footpath on 22nd September 2023.
A Life of Service Cut Short
Described by her heartbroken family as a 'wonderful and selfless person', Leah was a dedicated staff member at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby. Colleagues and patients knew her for her immense kindness and unwavering professional dedication.
Her life was cruelly taken in a matter of seconds by Jason Taylor, a man with a known history of mental health issues and previous encounters with law enforcement.
A Fateful Encounter and a Fatal Attack
The inquest at Hastings Coroner's Court was presented with a chilling timeline of events. Taylor was captured on CCTV following Ms. Ware onto the Cooden Sea Road footpath. Mere moments later, he launched his vicious assault.
Despite the swift arrival of paramedics and air ambulance medics, who fought desperately to save her at the scene, Ms. Ware succumbed to her catastrophic injuries.
A Community in Mourning and a Family's Anguish
The senseless tragedy has left a permanent scar on the community and an unimaginable void in the lives of Leah's three children. In a moving tribute, her family stated: "We are utterly devastated by the loss of our beautiful Leah... Our lives will never be the same without her."
Detective Superintendent Alex Geldart of Sussex Police offered his deepest condolences, emphasising that this was a 'completely random and motiveless attack' on an innocent member of the public, making the tragedy all the more shocking.
Questions and a Coroner's Conclusion
The inquest examined the circumstances leading up to the murder, including Taylor's recent discharge from a mental health unit and a prior arrest for possessing a knife just weeks before the killing. The coroner recorded a conclusion of unlawful killing.
This case has raised profound questions about public safety and the management of individuals with known violent tendencies within the community.
