A pathologist has suggested that a condition related to alcoholism could have been responsible for the death of a 31-year-old Co Armagh woman found dead in her bath.
An inquest into the death of Laura Marshall at Belfast Coroner’s Court heard Dr Ben Swift dispute former state pathologist Professor Jack Crane’s view that she had died by drowning, and her injuries “were more likely to have been sustained in an assault rather than being accidental injuries”.
Instead, Dr Swift said he believes the evidence he reviewed points to alcoholic ketoacidosis.
Divergence of expert views
He is one of a number of experts who have examined the case, with a “divergence of expert views as to the cause and circumstances” of Ms Marshall’s death.
The dental nurse’s bruised body had been found partially submerged in bath water at her Co Armagh home in 2016.
She was discovered by a maintenance manager after a downstairs neighbour had complained about water coming into his flat in Lurgan.
Background to the case
Ms Marshall had lived in the flat on Victoria Street with her partner Gary O’Dowd.
The inquest into her death previously heard she had told a family member her partner had threatened to kill her, had subjected her to regular beatings, and had scalded her with boiling water.
Mr O’Dowd was charged with the murder of Ms Marshall in April 2016.
Counsel for coroner Aidan Sands previously told the inquest that Mr O’Dowd had denied the offence and “had given a full account of his movements to the police in interview”.
In February 2018, the charges were withdrawn by the Public Prosecution Service.
Pathologist's evidence
Coroner Louisa Fee reminded parties at the opening of the inquest that the proceedings are not designed to attribute blame to any individual.
Dr Swift’s evidence continued across most of Tuesday, during the second week of the inquest.
He said he had found “little evidence to support the proposition Laura had drowned in the pathology as presented”.
Dr Swift also disputed that some of Ms Marshall’s injuries were indicative of sexual assault, saying: “That is one possibility but it’s not indicative … it also says ‘consistent with forceful recent sexual intercourse’, which I disagree with … there are a variety of possibilities as to causation”.
A post-mortem examination found bruising on Ms Marshall’s body and forehead and a gash on her left arm, as well as alcohol misuse in the past.
Dr Swift said the pattern of injuries “did not support an assault”.
Karen Quinlivan KC, acting for Ms Marshall’s next of kin, questioned Dr Swift at length, and put to him evidence shows him “trying to ridicule others’ hypotheses” in emails to another pathologist.
Dr Swift responded, describing a “difficult proposal” that had been made, that an individual cannot escape from a bath tub and drown without being impaired by alcohol, drugs or a head injury.
Ms Quinlivan put to Dr Swift he was also “quite derogatory” about another expert or police, claiming “confirmation bias” over how the bathroom door locked.
She also made reference to his having reached conclusions “for the benefit of his client, Mr O’Dowd”.
Dr Swift responded: “They’re not my clients. I am providing an unbiased opinion for the purpose of the court”.
The inquest continues.
