A woman’s body was found locked inside a laundry room at a Somerstown tower block nearly two weeks after she went missing, Portsmouth Coroner’s Court heard. Despite police searching the building, it took 13 days before detectives uncovered her final movements using council CCTV footage.
Mother of Three Found Dead in Laundry Room
The missing woman, Victoria Evans, had been the subject of a public appeal in early April after her family raised the alarm. Officers scoured 1 House and the surrounding area but failed to locate her initially.
Fatal Levels of Alcohol and Morphine
A post-mortem revealed the mother-of-three had a lethal mix of alcohol and morphine in her system. Victoria had previously spoken about feeling suicidal. The coroner offered condolences, remembering her as a kind, generous woman and a loving mum.
Police Face Scrutiny Over Delayed Discovery
Hampshire Police are now conducting an internal review of their search procedures for missing persons. The delay in finding Victoria’s body raises serious questions about how searches are carried out in tower blocks and similar properties.
