Menu
11/04/2005
'No indication' of Shipman suicide, widow tells inquiry
The widow of serial killer Harold Shipman has told an inquiry into his death that he gave no indication of an intention to commit suicide.
Primrose Shipman told the inquiry, which opened at Leeds Crown Court today, that she asked her husband if he was suicidal during a conversation while he was being held in HMP Manchester in 1999. "He said no and that if he did he would talk to me about it," Mrs Shipman told the inquiry.
Mrs Shipman also told the inquiry that she was due to visit Shipman at Wakefield Prison the day after he died, which would have been his 58th birthday.
Shipman, who was convicted of murdering 15 of his patients in 2000, was found hanging in his cell in January 2004. An inquiry into his murders concluded that he probably killed around 250 patients, between 1971 and 1998.
The forensic pathologist who conducted the post-mortem on Shipman, also told the inquiry that his death was due to hanging and stated that he found no evidence that Shipman had been attacked before his death, according to reports.
It was also reported that the content of diaries kept by Shipman while he was in prison were revealed at the inquest and that they indicated that he was in "deep despair" about being separated from his family.
West Yorkshire coroner David Hinchcliff warned the jury not to allow themselves "the luxury of sympathy for the victims' family and friends" and let it influence their decision.
The inquest is expected to last for two weeks.
(KmcA)
Primrose Shipman told the inquiry, which opened at Leeds Crown Court today, that she asked her husband if he was suicidal during a conversation while he was being held in HMP Manchester in 1999. "He said no and that if he did he would talk to me about it," Mrs Shipman told the inquiry.
Mrs Shipman also told the inquiry that she was due to visit Shipman at Wakefield Prison the day after he died, which would have been his 58th birthday.
Shipman, who was convicted of murdering 15 of his patients in 2000, was found hanging in his cell in January 2004. An inquiry into his murders concluded that he probably killed around 250 patients, between 1971 and 1998.
The forensic pathologist who conducted the post-mortem on Shipman, also told the inquiry that his death was due to hanging and stated that he found no evidence that Shipman had been attacked before his death, according to reports.
It was also reported that the content of diaries kept by Shipman while he was in prison were revealed at the inquest and that they indicated that he was in "deep despair" about being separated from his family.
West Yorkshire coroner David Hinchcliff warned the jury not to allow themselves "the luxury of sympathy for the victims' family and friends" and let it influence their decision.
The inquest is expected to last for two weeks.
(KmcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 January 2005
Latest report pushes 'likely' Shipman victim toll to 250
The sixth report into the murders committed by former GP Harold Shipman has revealed that he murdered at least three patients during his years as a junior doctor, bringing the total toll to a possible 250.
Latest report pushes 'likely' Shipman victim toll to 250
The sixth report into the murders committed by former GP Harold Shipman has revealed that he murdered at least three patients during his years as a junior doctor, bringing the total toll to a possible 250.
13 January 2004
Serial killer Shipman found dead in his cell
Harold Shipman, Britain's most prolific serial killer, has died in his cell this morning after he apparently hanged himself. Shipman, 57, who was jailed for life in 2000 for the murders of 15 people, was discovered by prison staff at Wakefield Prison at around 6.20am.
Serial killer Shipman found dead in his cell
Harold Shipman, Britain's most prolific serial killer, has died in his cell this morning after he apparently hanged himself. Shipman, 57, who was jailed for life in 2000 for the murders of 15 people, was discovered by prison staff at Wakefield Prison at around 6.20am.
25 February 2004
Serial killer GP Harold Shipman is cremated
The serial killer doctor, Harold Shipman, has been cremated following a short ceremony attended by his wife and four children, it has been reported today. To avoid unwanted media attention, the ceremony was held after hours and at an undisclosed location in Yorkshire, according to the Daily Mirror.
Serial killer GP Harold Shipman is cremated
The serial killer doctor, Harold Shipman, has been cremated following a short ceremony attended by his wife and four children, it has been reported today. To avoid unwanted media attention, the ceremony was held after hours and at an undisclosed location in Yorkshire, according to the Daily Mirror.
25 August 2005
Shipman suicide ‘could not have been prevented’
The suicide of serial killer Harold Shipman “could not have been predicted or prevented”, an official report has stated. However, the report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Stephen Shaw criticised the way prison staff dealt with Shipman in the weeks prior to his death.
Shipman suicide ‘could not have been prevented’
The suicide of serial killer Harold Shipman “could not have been predicted or prevented”, an official report has stated. However, the report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Stephen Shaw criticised the way prison staff dealt with Shipman in the weeks prior to his death.
04 June 2003
Shake up review of coroners system published
The way in which coroners work is to be shaken up following the publication of a Home Office report today.
Shake up review of coroners system published
The way in which coroners work is to be shaken up following the publication of a Home Office report today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Bright spells with a few showers continuing through this evening. Some drier, clearer periods in the early hours, before cloud builds and showers turn more persistent towards dawn. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
