05/06/2007

Bodies exhumed in care home deaths investigation

Police investigating suspicious deaths at a Somerset care home are to exhume three bodies to examine for signs of drug poisoning.

The body of Nellie 'Mary' Pickford, who died at Parkfields residential home in Butleigh at the age of 89, will be the first to be exhumed.

Her body is due to be exhumed from Glastonbury Cemetery on Tuesday.

The deaths of six other of the home's residents are also being investigated and two more bodies are also due to be exhumed.

Parkfields was closed down in May, following the death of Lucy Cox, 97, on New Year's Day.

Two people were arrested in connection with her death - Rachel Baker, 45, a nurse who was listed as the home's manager, and her husband Leigh, 48, a chef at the home.

Mrs Baker was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance, while Mr Baker was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the administration of a noxious substance.

The couple, who live in Glastonbury, were both released on bail until September.

(KMcA/SP)

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