Cause of death for murderer and rapist John Cannan who died in prison revealed at inquest

The cause of death for rapist and murderer John Cannan has been revealed at his inquest. Cannan was jailed in 1989 for the rape and murder of Bristol newlywed Shirley Banks.

He was also the prime suspect in the unsolved murder of Suzy Lamplugh. Suzy went missing in July 1986 at the age of 25 after leaving her West London estate agency office to meet a mystery client known only as “Mr Kipper” for a flat viewing in Fulham and was never seen again.

Her car, a white Ford Fiesta, was found abandoned in Stevenage Road, Fulham, and police believe she was abducted and murdered. Cannan was questioned in prison in connection with the incident but no charges were brought. In 2018, police carried out excavations at Cannan’s mother’s former home in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, but nothing was found.

READ MORE: Sara Sharif's stepmother was victim of 'honour-based abuse', court told

READ MORE: Body of missing woman found in River Thames

Suzy’s family spoke out when Cannan died about the fact that they believe they will never have closure or know where her body is. Cannan had denied murdering Suzy and died at the age of 70 in HMP Full Sutton, in East Yorkshire, on November 6.

An inquest into Cannan’s death was opened and adjourned on Friday at Hull Coroner’s Court. Area Coroner for Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire Lorraine Harris said in a five-minute long hearing how Cannan was identified by a prison officer and his cause of death was a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.