Menu
06/06/2007
Body exhumed in care home deaths investigation
Police investigating seven suspicious deaths at a Somerset care home have exhumed a body.
The body of Nellie 'Mary' Pickford, who died at Parkfields residential home in Butleigh at the age of 89, was exhumed at Glastonbury Cemetery on Tuesday night in order to be examined for signs of drug poisoning.
Three Church of England vicars were in attendance at the exhumation and said prayers.
It is understood that Mrs Pickford's body is expected to be released back to her family within three days so that a private re-burial service can take place.
Two more bodies of former residents of Parkfields are also due to be exhumed. It is understood that the bodies of three other former residents cannot be examined because they were cremated.
Parkfields was closed down in May, following the death of Lucy Cox, 97, on New Year's Day.
The home's former managers were arrested in connection with her death - Rachel Baker, 45, a nurse who was listed as the home's manager, and her husband Leigh, 48, a chef at the home.
Mrs Baker was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance, while Mr Baker was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the administration of a noxious substance.
The couple, who live in Glastonbury, were both released on bail until September.
The case is the first time in the history of Avon and Somerset Police that officers have exhumed bodies.
Detective Superintendent Trevor Simpson, who is leading the case, said: "We are not talking about poisonings in the traditional sense.
"We are checking for drugs but we cannot go into details for operational reasons."
(KMcA/SP)
The body of Nellie 'Mary' Pickford, who died at Parkfields residential home in Butleigh at the age of 89, was exhumed at Glastonbury Cemetery on Tuesday night in order to be examined for signs of drug poisoning.
Three Church of England vicars were in attendance at the exhumation and said prayers.
It is understood that Mrs Pickford's body is expected to be released back to her family within three days so that a private re-burial service can take place.
Two more bodies of former residents of Parkfields are also due to be exhumed. It is understood that the bodies of three other former residents cannot be examined because they were cremated.
Parkfields was closed down in May, following the death of Lucy Cox, 97, on New Year's Day.
The home's former managers were arrested in connection with her death - Rachel Baker, 45, a nurse who was listed as the home's manager, and her husband Leigh, 48, a chef at the home.
Mrs Baker was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance, while Mr Baker was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the administration of a noxious substance.
The couple, who live in Glastonbury, were both released on bail until September.
The case is the first time in the history of Avon and Somerset Police that officers have exhumed bodies.
Detective Superintendent Trevor Simpson, who is leading the case, said: "We are not talking about poisonings in the traditional sense.
"We are checking for drugs but we cannot go into details for operational reasons."
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 June 2007
Second body to be exhumed in care home investigation
Police investigating seven suspicious deaths at a Somerset care home are due to exhume a second body. The body of Marion Alder is due to be removed from the graveyard of St Leonard's Church in Butleigh in Somerset. The 79-year-old died last July in the Parkfields residential home in the village.
Second body to be exhumed in care home investigation
Police investigating seven suspicious deaths at a Somerset care home are due to exhume a second body. The body of Marion Alder is due to be removed from the graveyard of St Leonard's Church in Butleigh in Somerset. The 79-year-old died last July in the Parkfields residential home in the village.
05 June 2007
Bodies exhumed in care home deaths investigation
Police investigating suspicious deaths at a Somerset care home are to exhume three bodies to examine for signs of drug poisoning. The body of Nellie 'Mary' Pickford, who died at Parkfields residential home in Butleigh at the age of 89, will be the first to be exhumed. Her body is due to be exhumed from Glastonbury Cemetery on Tuesday.
Bodies exhumed in care home deaths investigation
Police investigating suspicious deaths at a Somerset care home are to exhume three bodies to examine for signs of drug poisoning. The body of Nellie 'Mary' Pickford, who died at Parkfields residential home in Butleigh at the age of 89, will be the first to be exhumed. Her body is due to be exhumed from Glastonbury Cemetery on Tuesday.
25 June 2009
UK Troops Get Boost To Personal Protection
British troops fighting in the frontline are to receive new body armour and helmets this autumn, it has been announced. Over 10,000 sets of the enhanced Mark 7 helmet and the Osprey Assault body armour have been ordered from companies across the UK, under initial contracts worth around £16 million.
UK Troops Get Boost To Personal Protection
British troops fighting in the frontline are to receive new body armour and helmets this autumn, it has been announced. Over 10,000 sets of the enhanced Mark 7 helmet and the Osprey Assault body armour have been ordered from companies across the UK, under initial contracts worth around £16 million.
12 August 2009
Body Exhumed In 30-Year Murder Probe
The body of a suspect in the murder of Teresa De Simone 30 years ago has been exhumed from a graveyard in Portsmouth. The body was exhumed from Kingston Cemetery in the early hours of this morning. Hampshire Police said that they were hoping to obtain further DNA evidence to finally establish who was the killer.
Body Exhumed In 30-Year Murder Probe
The body of a suspect in the murder of Teresa De Simone 30 years ago has been exhumed from a graveyard in Portsmouth. The body was exhumed from Kingston Cemetery in the early hours of this morning. Hampshire Police said that they were hoping to obtain further DNA evidence to finally establish who was the killer.
10 December 2007
Couple Arrested Over Care Home Deaths
A couple have been arrested in connection with the deaths of five elderly people at a care home in Somerset. Rachel Baker, a registered nurse, and her chef husband Leigh, 48, are being held on suspicion of the murder of four women and a man at the Parkfields Residential Home in Butleigh.
Couple Arrested Over Care Home Deaths
A couple have been arrested in connection with the deaths of five elderly people at a care home in Somerset. Rachel Baker, a registered nurse, and her chef husband Leigh, 48, are being held on suspicion of the murder of four women and a man at the Parkfields Residential Home in Butleigh.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
