The mummified body of Amanda Warburton, 52, was discovered in her flat in Runcorn, Cheshire, UK, seven months after she was last seen or heard from. Warburton’s death was declared “non-suspicious” following an investigation this month, but the exact cause remains unknown due to the advanced state of decomposition.
Concerns about Warburton were first raised by a family member who noticed their window had been closed for an unusually long time, prompting them to contact authorities. Police officers found her body in her sparsely furnished apartment on September 17 at 5:47 p.m., according to police. daily mail.
At the inquest on October 16 at Cheshire Coroner’s Court, senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish reported that Warburton, originally from New Zealand, had been living a solitary life. Described as a “loner,” her body was severely decomposed, making it difficult to determine the definitive cause of her death. “The cause of his death could not be determined due to severe decomposition and mummification.” Devonish explained.
As a result, the coroner ruled an open conclusion and stated that there was “no idea” of the exact circumstances that led to his death. Warburton’s sister, who lives in Queensland, Australia, expressed her grief in a heartfelt social media post. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful sister Amanda (Mandy). We are broken. We love you enormously and will miss you very much,” he wrote. His sister also launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to travel back to the UK for the funeral.
When officers entered the apartment, they found minimal furniture and a lack of food. A pile of unopened mail had accumulated behind the door, and newspapers dated February 18 still lay on the coffee table. The milk in the refrigerator had expired the next day, suggesting that Warburton may have died around that time.
A sticker on the front door indicated the housing association had been trying to contact her and neighbors mentioned they had not seen Warburton for about a year. Some had recently noticed a strange smell coming from the property, raising even more suspicion.
Police described his body as “extremely decomposed, to the point of being mummified,” and estimated that Warburton had been dead for approximately seven months. Despite the grim discovery, investigators found no evidence of foul play and concluded there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. Warburton’s tragic and isolated death has shaken the community, highlighting the importance of staying connected, especially with those who live alone.