Teens found dead in nature reserve identified from custody images, inquest told
The pair - from Coventry and Kenilworth - were found dead in Dorset last month
Last updated 4th Feb 2022
Two teenagers found dead at a nature reserve in Dorset were identified from police custody images, an inquest has heard.
The bodies of Jack Michael Williams, 18, and Katherine Susan Jane Powell, 17, were found at Bothenhampton Reservoir, near Bridport, on the morning of January 25.
An inquest opening at Bournemouth Coroner's Court on Thursday heard Mr Williams had been born in Coventry but was living in West Bay, Dorset, at the time of his death.
Miss Powell was from Kenilworth in Warwickshire.
Rachael Griffin, senior coroner for Dorset, said at the brief hearing that the bodies of the teenagers were found suspended from a tree by a member of the public.
They were declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
A spokesman for Dorset Police previously announced the force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to its prior contact with Miss Powell and Mr Williams.
Ms Griffin said at the inquest that both teenagers had been identified by mortuary staff by means of custody images from Dorset Police's database.
She said there was no evidence of third party involvement in either death.
Toxicology samples have been taken for analysis and both bodies have been released by the coroner to allow their funerals to take place.
Ms Griffin said that ahead of the full inquest, she requires statements from the families of Mr Williams and Miss Powell, their GPs and local mental health teams if they were engaging with them.
She also asked for a statement from the police in relation to their investigation, one from the pathologist reporting their findings, and an update on any investigation by the IOPC.
The coroner adjourned the inquest of Mr Williams until July 4 at 10am when it is listed for a pre-inquest review, with a similar hearing listed for Miss Powell at 12pm the same day.
No relatives of either teenager were present in court.