Sturgess family thankful only one life lost in 2018 Salisbury poisonings
Caroline Sturgess, mother of Dawn, has spoken to a public inquiry into her daughter's death
Last updated 15th Oct 2024
The family Dawn Sturgess has told a public inquiry into the 44-year-old's death that it takes "comfort" that only one life was lost during the Salisbury poisonings in 2018.
Dawn died after applying the nerve agent to her body when it had been hidden in a perfume bottle, which contained enough poison to 'kill thousands'.
Caroline Sturgess has been giving evidence about her daughter the hearings, after Dawn died in 2018 from Novichock poisoning, saying her daughter was an 'intelligent, funny, extremely selfless and very kind person'.
She said Dawn would now have been a grandmother, but her tragic death means 'she will never have the absolute joy of meeting her first grandchild and doesn’t get to watch her grow.'
The inquiry is being held at Salisbury Guildhall this week.
Speaking to the hearing, Caroline explained that Dawn always cared deeply for her friends and family, without judging others and 'strived to make others happy even when she didn’t feel like smiling herself.'
Narrative around Dawn 'distressing'
She spoke of Dawn's upbringing before her circumstances and issues with alcohol led to Dawn residing at John Baker House in Salisbury.
She said Dawn had grasped the chance to address her issues, saying mum-of-three's priority was the welfare of her children.
Ms Sturges said: "Her youngest, – still in primary school – was always very excited to see her mum; I tried to take her in to see her as much as possible. They loved spending quality time together. Dawn always greeted her in the same manner – on her knees so she could run into her arms."
Dawn's mother also criticised the narrative around Dawn on social media and in the press as 'distressing' to everyone who knew her.
She said: "She was not a ‘known drug user’, as had initially been reported and then repeated. She was a very loved mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, auntie, niece, cousin and friend."
Youngest daughter on unforgettable bond with her mum
Dawn's youngest daughter was with Caroline on the day her mum initially fell ill.
Caroline said the final conversation she had with her daughter was around what time to bring Dawn's youngest child to her on the morning of 30th June 2018.
She said it was 'pure chance' that Dawn had sprayed herself with the Novichok before her daughter arrived.
"Dawn’s death was a tragedy to us all, but the fact that her daughter was not killed as well is a solace that we often revisit," she said.
She added: "We understand that the perfume bottle contained enough Novichok to kill thousands of people.
"Again, although we are devastated by her death, our family find comfort that Dawn was the only life lost that day when the potential harm was much, much more.
"We know she would agree."
Caroline also read out a quote from Dawn's youngest daughter, in which she described the unforgettable bond with her mum, but was unable to say goodbye at the time.
“Me and my mum had a bond that I will never forget. The day I heard she had fallen really ill was heartbreaking to hear. In my mind I thought she would push through it because there was nothing my mum couldn’t handle.
"The day I heard everyone go to say their goodbyes when she was in intensive care was so upsetting. Shortly after she passed away.
"One thing I will never forget is due to my age I never saw her or got to say goodbye."
No evidence Dawn was a drug user, say Wiltshire Police
Following Caroline Sturgess' evidence, Wiltshire Police Deputy Chief Constable, Paul Mills, told the inquiry that the Force had no 'police intelligence' Dawn was a drug user at the time of her poisoning.
He reiterated the Police's apology for assumptions being made that she was suffering a drug overdose.
He added that suspicions of drug involvement came from Police receiving documents at the time, relating to Dawn's address and her partner, Charlie Rowley, and his drug taking behaviour.
DCC Mills told the hearing that documents stating Dawn and Charlie were 'known drug users' were created after the incident.
Mr Mills also said that Wiltshire Police should have been advised to be on high alert for nerve-agent poisonings after the attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in 2018.
They had been poisoned after Novichok had been put on the outside door handle of Mr Skripal's Salisbury home.
Police had not found the item used in that attack by the time Dawn was poisoned in June 2018.
DCC Mills said: "I absolutely reflect that we didn’t put anything further out, clearly police officers are trained in relation to generic responses, but I do believe in hindsight it would’ve been sensible just to put some advice and guidance out."