Yahoo News Inquest opens into death of much-loved Plymouth dad-of-four
An inquest has opened into the death of a much-loved Plymouth dad-of-four who went missing from Derriford Hospital. The brief public hearing into the death of 33-year-old Steven Barnes was held by area coroner Alison Longhorn on June 17 at Devon Coroner's Court in Exeter.
Ms Longhorn said Steven was born in Plymouth and resided at an address in Honicknowle, Plymouth. At the time of his death, he was married.
She explained the circumstances of Steven's death, saying that he had attended Derriford Hospital following a seizure. She said he left the hospital and was reported missing on June 3, having last been seen in the Emergency Department on that day.
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At the time police issued appeals in an effort to trace Steven, giving a description of what he was last seen wearing at around 2pm on June 3. They stated that they were carrying out "extensive enquiries to locate Steven including house to house, witness appeals, aerial searches, searches on foot and CCTV enquires."
At the inquest opening area coroner Ms Longhorn said the following day searches were completed in the surrounding area. However, on the afternoon of June 5 his body was located in woodland within Bircham Nature Reserve, a short distance south of the hospital.
Ms Longhorn said that police had found no suspicious circumstances. She added that the medical cause of death has not yet been ascertained.
The hearing was adjourned and a full inquest will take place at a later date to examine all the circumstances leading up to Steven's death.
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