A woman found dead behind the wheel of her car in Bridgend had suffered a stab wound to her chest, an inquest opening has heard. Eleanor Ann Barnfield, 47, died following an incident in the Ger-Y-Nant area of Bridgend on October 19.
Clifford Foster, 61, has appeared in court charged with the murder of Ms Barnfield. He was a resident at the sheltered housing complex where Ms Barnfield worked.
Inquest Hearing Details
A brief hearing at Pontypridd Coroner's Court on Thursday heard that South Wales Police received a report of a road traffic collision on October 19. When attending officers arrived at the scene, Ms Barnfield was found to have suffered a stab wound to the chest, the court was told.
Ms Barnfield was taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, where she was later pronounced dead. She was identified by family on October 21.
A post-mortem examination was carried out by Dr Williams at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on October 21. The court was told a provisional cause of death was given as a stab wound to the trunk, involving the heart.
Coroner's Decision and Tributes
The court was told that criminal proceedings are ongoing in relation to the death. Coroner Rachel Knight said it was necessary to open a full inquest because she was satisfied there was reason to suspect Ms Barnfield's death may have been unnatural.
She adjourned the hearing pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. The full inquest will be scheduled at a later date. Ms Knight passed her condolences to Ms Barnfield's family and friends.
Following her death, Ms Barnfield was described by family as the “most loving” mother and “bravest person in the world”. A tribute released through police said: “She meant everything to us and will be forever loved and missed deeply by her devoted family and friends. She was our rock.”
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
Foster remains in police custody ahead of his next court appearance at Cardiff Crown Court on November 23 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. He was remanded into custody ahead of this next court appearance.
At a brief hearing earlier this month the judge set a provisional trial date for April 12 next year and said it is expected to take around three weeks.
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 cooperate 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.”
