The decomposed body of Alicia Douglass, a 35-year-old mother of a six-year-old girl, was found weeks after her death in her home home in Sheffield, South Yorkshire
The mum of a six-year-old girl was not found for weeks after she had died. The body of the 35-year-old was discovered last year at her Wincobank home in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
The death of Alicia Douglass has sparked heartbreak and murder investigation, after the body was discovered on August 7, 2024. South Yorkshire Police initially arrested her ex-partner, a 31-year-old male, on suspicion of murder, but he was never charged and the investigation was closed.
Sheffield Coroner’s Court was told that police were unable to accurately ascertain the cause of death due to the decomposition of Alicia’s body. There was no evidence of third-party involvement at the scene, Yorkshire Live reported.
A pathologist consequently estimated that Alicia had been deceased for “two to four weeks” prior to being discovered.
The late mum’s last confirmed sighting on CCTV footage dated July 23. Assistant coroner Hannah Berry recorded an “open” conclusion regarding the cause of death.
Hayley Bates, Alicia’s cousin, told the inquest: “She had a troubled life, but she leaves behind a six-year-old daughter. If there’s anything she got right, it was being a mum to Ava.”
She added: “Alicia’s mum would like a reason for why her daughter died and to be able to tell Ava what happened to her mum.” Another cousin, Leanne Watts, reportedly said: “We understand the decomposition makes it difficult to determine certain evidence.
“The circumstances, to me, are suspicious in themselves. How can you explain it?”
Evidence presented by DS Liam Milner revealed Alicia was last spotted in July last year appearing “yellow all over” and severely unwell. DS Milner explained that officers discovered her after a mate reported her missing.
She was found sprawled across her bed with multiple empty cider bottles scattered around the room. Her former partner had been charged following a domestic violence incident in February on July 25, two weeks before Alicia’s discovery.
DS Milner acknowledged there were worries this could have been, “the catalyst for something that happened in the flat”. A blade was also discovered beneath her pillow.
Nevertheless, DS Milner stated there was “nothing at the scene that indicated any third-party involvement”. He confirmed officers found “no evidence” linking the ex-partner to what occurred.
The man was released and the inquiry was closed. A post-mortem examination raised alarm bells about bruising around the throat region caused by a broken larynx.
Yet, owing to the body’s deterioration, it proved impossible to establish whether this played a role in Alicia’s demise. There was reportedly also proof she had consumed painkillers, including tramadol and mitrazapine, though the body’s decay made it challenging to pinpoint exact levels in her system.
Dr Lumb said: “Although the larynx fracture was concerning, it was not possible to be certain of the cause of Alicia’s death.” According to Yorkshire Live, the GP report said Alicia suffered from alcohol and painkiller abuse, was a victim of sexual assault, and had made several attempts to take her own life.
She had not been prescribed the painkillers found in her system. Ms Berry said: “Alicia was last seen alive on CCTV on July 23 on CCTV. She had been dead for some time, and her body was decomposed.
“This made subsequent investigations difficult. Dr Lumb was concerned she may have been subjected to pressure to her neck, but was unable to confirm this. The police investigated this incident fully but did not find anything suspicious.
“The investigation found that friends and acquaintances reported Alicia was unwell. In particular, she was yellow and was vomiting. She had reported she was struggling to eat and was very thin. As a result, on the balance of probabilities, it cannot be said how Alicia died.
“There are many possible explanations, but on the balance of probabilities, it just cannot be said. So, with respect to the cause of death, I accept that of Dr Lumb, unascertained.
“My conclusion to Alicia’s death is open.”
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