An inquest into the death of 13-year-old Casey-Louise Horrocks has been suspended pending further investigations. The teenager was found unresponsive at a flat on Sheepridge Road, Huddersfield, in the early hours of August 11 last year, and died the following day at Calderdale Royal Hospital after suffering four cardiac arrests.
West Yorkshire Police previously arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of murder and rape, who has since been released on conditional bail. At a hearing at Bradford Coroners' Court, Detective Sergeant Aspinall told the coroner that investigators are still awaiting a report from a forensic pathologist. A post-mortem examination had failed to establish a formal cause of death, which remains unexplained.
Senior coroner Martin Fleming granted a six-month suspension of the inquest proceedings, which will now resume on August 24, 2026. The court was informed that a toxicology report had been completed, but the forensic pathologist's report was still outstanding.
Casey-Louise was a student at Mossley Hollins High School, which described her as 'bright, full of character, always full of life, and never afraid to be herself'. A family member paid tribute, saying: 'Suddenly and totally unexpected, on Tuesday August 12 our beautiful Casey-Louise gained her angel wings. Our family is absolutely devastated by this news.'
Tameside Council, which was Casey-Louise's corporate parent, has confirmed that a safeguarding review will take place. The inquest remains adjourned pending further inquiries.
