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There are countless factors
that can lead to your death.
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As senior coroner, I deal with
nearly 4,500 fatalities a year.
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LESLEY SHARP: The coroner can make
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any inquiries necessary
to find a cause of death.
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The police act
on behalf of the coroner.
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If the coroner asks, then we do it.
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We need to be alert to the fact
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that there could be something
more sinister in this.
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With unprecedented access,
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we follow
the coroner's full investigation...
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It does make you realise
how fragile life is.
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Let's start
and just work our way up.
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Forensic medicine
is all about being very suspicious.
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...from the moment of arrival
in the mortuary
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to the final conclusion
of the inquest.
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All rise.
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I'm sorry that you're attending
court under these circumstances,
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and I appreciate that the evidence
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that you will hear today
may be distressing.
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I never thought I'd ever find myself
in a coroners' court.
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You shouldn't have to organise
a funeral for your children.
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If you die here, if it's violent,
unnatural or of an unknown cause,
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it's my job to find out how.
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A man has collapsed at a homeless
accommodation site in Blackburn.
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The man was found without a pulse.
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Despite attempts to resuscitate him,
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he was pronounced dead
shortly afterwards.
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So, this morning,
I'm dealing with the death
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of a 36-year-old Polish gentleman
by the name of Robert Blonski.
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Robert's death's been referred
to the coroner by Lancashire Police.
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Robert was complaining
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of a two-day history
of severe headaches.
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The day before his death,
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he was brought
to Royal Blackburn Hospital.
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He was booked into urgent care,
but unfortunately,
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before he's been seen
or had any treatment,
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he's left the hospital
of his own accord.
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24 hours later,
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police officers found him
suffering from some chest pain.
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The police officers
brought Robert back to hospital,
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but unfortunately, once again,
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Robert has discharged himself
prior to treatment.
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It would appear that following that,
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he's then returned
to his home address.
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Ancl then another resident
at the site
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has found him unresponsive.
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He was transferred
to Royal Blackburn Hospital
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but sadly died shortly afterwards.
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Robert has been transferred
to the mortuary,
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and a formal identification
has taken place.
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The background to his death is
that two months ago,
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Mr Blonski was admitted
to hospital following assault.
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I understand
that during that assault,
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he was kicked in the head
and had half his ear bitten off.
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There's a number of issues
at the moment.
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Firstly, we've got the assault
a couple of months ago.
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That still is uppermost in my mind
as to what has happened then.
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Then we've also got
two separate hospital admissions
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in the 24 hours
leading up to his death,
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but then discharges himself
before any treatment.
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One of the first questions
that we will have to answer is
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whether or not the assault
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has caused or contributed
to his death.
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This would determine whether or not
it is a police investigation
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or whether
the accident and emergency staff
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have ruled out significant injury,
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in which case this may not
have contributed to his death,
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and it becomes
a coroner's investigation.
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The scans taken at the time
of Robert's assault two months ago
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must now be reviewed
by a consultant.
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Mr Robert Blonski came to us
accompanied by the police officer.
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And he came at 23:49.
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So, he was then triaged
at that time,
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and he came with a head injury.
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He was assaulted by somebody,
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and he was punched and kicked
in the head.
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And he was bleeding
from the left ear,
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and the left ear
was apparently bitten off.
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He had a significant amount of time
that he was unconscious.
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That prompted us to do the CT scan
for his head
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to make sure there's nothing
in the head
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which could be, you know,
life-threatening.
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At that time, the CT scan showed
no evidence of any bleeding.
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This showed no evidence
of any swelling in the brain.
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And there was no evidence
of any broken bones
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on the head or the skull.
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There was nothing abnormal found
in Mr Blonski on the CT scan.
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The coroner has received the report
from the hospital
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and can now begin his investigation,
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starting with
an external examination.
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So, Robert's 72 kilos.
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Ancl he's 1 metre 70.
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Posterior lividity,
and his rigor mortis is present.
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A section on the outside
of the left ear has been removed.
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Actually, it's quite a chunk.
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It's been confirmed that the assault
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neither caused nor contributed
to Robert Blonski's death.
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As a result, we'll now proceed
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with the CT postmortem scan
and toxicology.
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Because given his complicated
past medical history,
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his multiple hospital attendances,
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we need to sort out
what has happened here,
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what the sequence of events are
and what has caused his death.
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Because at the moment,
we don't know what's happened.
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LESLEY SHARP: The coroner
is investigating the sudden death
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of 36-year-old Polish national
Robert Blonski,
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who died after collapsing
in Blackburn.
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Tattoos, he has right shoulder,
right forearm.
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Medical interventions, he's got
an IO needle in his right shin.
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Robert Blonski has had
a number of involvements
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with both the health care services
and the police
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over the preceding weeks.
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Ancl he also has a history
of homelessness and alcohol abuse.
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On the evening of his death,
before he is brought in collapsed,
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he has attended
accident and emergency,
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complaining of a severe headache
for two clays.
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On the clay before his death,
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he called the ambulance
because he had severe chest pain.
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But by the time the ambulance
got there, the pain had gone.
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Ancl we're not sure
how each of these, if at all,
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relates to his current collapse
and death.
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Initially, we will do toxicology
and a CT scan,
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which may give us a cause of death.
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So, we're going to try and take
some samples for toxicology.
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Unfortunately, there's no urine,
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so we're trying to get
some blood samples.
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And we are actually managing
to get a really good blood sample.
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Yeah. That's plenty.
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We'll label those up,
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and we'll send them off
so they can be analysed
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and see if there's anything
in his system that's untoward.
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Robert was homeless
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and had been helped
by a government-funded program me,
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which supports vulnerable adults
facing issues,
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including addiction
and mental illness.
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One of the things
that we've set up in Blackburn
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is our homelessness pods.
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Robert had come to the attention
of our single homeless team,
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and he was rough sleeping.
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They made the decision to offer
Robert one of the homelessness pods
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so he had a stable base
and somewhere to keep him safe.
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We were told that he'd been living
in a tent for about four years.
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He'd clearly been living
quite a complex lifestyle
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for a significant period of time.
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He was a lovely person.
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Despite his own adversities
and his own challenges,
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always trying to make people smile
and amazing sense of humour.
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But I think
what really struck me was,
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even though he didn't have anything,
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he was such a warm,
kind-hearted, caring person,
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really thankful for any support
that was offered to him.
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Ancl I got the impression
that he'd not maybe had that before.
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In Preston, police have been called
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to the home of a 25-year-old woman
called Shannon jump.
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She has been found unresponsive
in bed.
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Somebody who's 25,
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to have a short history
of cough and cold,
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to suddenly deteriorate
to such an extent so that they die
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is really quite unusual.
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Due to the concerns surrounding
the death of such a young person,
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the police are looking into anything
that may have occurred
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that warrants further investigation
before we can make a decision
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as to what type of postmortem
is appropriate.
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So, this morning, we've had a call
from the ambulance service.
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Just after ten o'clock.
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Police have attended,
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and there are a few questions
surrounding the death,
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which we just need to investigate
a little bit further.
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Clearly, there are
a number of hypotheses
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in relation
to this young lady's passing.
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One, it could be medical.
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Two, it could be down
to alcohol or drugs
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because that picture is unknown
at the moment.
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Or thirdly, it could be
at the hands of another third party.
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So that, again,
is to be further investigated.
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Ancl we'll see where that takes us.
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Whilst the police continue
to investigate the circumstances,
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Shannon has been transferred
to the mortuary
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at Royal Preston Hospital.
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Coroner's officers are looking
into her medical background.
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PHONE RINGS
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Hello, is that Angela?
'Yes. Speaking.'
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00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:21,455
Hi, Angela. It's Becky
at the coroner's office.
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I believe that Sharon's clad
passed away quite recently.
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What did he die from,
if you don't mind me asking?
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'Cardiac arrest.
High blood pressure.'
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Ancl how old was he?
'47.'
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It's just so we can make a note
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to check whether or not
there could be anything hereditary.
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'The heart condition is because
his clad passed of his heart.
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00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:47,575
'His mum's got heart failure
as well.
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'She's on medication for it.'
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00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:51,295
Right. 'So, it runs
in both sets of families.'
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00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:58,095
Detective inspectors Steve Munk
needs to update the coroner
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00:13:58,120 --> 00:14:03,055
on the police investigation
into Shannon's sudden death.
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00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:04,855
'Hello, Steve.'
Good afternoon.
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00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:07,335
We've now conducted
a number of enquiries.
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00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:09,135
We've got a statement
off her partner
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00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:12,095
that was in the flat overnight
with her.
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00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:14,455
And we've got some CCTV,
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00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:16,815
which does corroborate
what her boyfriend says,
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00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:19,295
that he went and took the dog
for a walk in the morning,
203
00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:22,215
came back, and that's when
he's found her deceased in bed.
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00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:25,295
So we are still in that situation
where there's nothing still
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00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:27,655
to indicate
why she may have passed away.
206
00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:29,335
But it's not looking
like anything criminal.
207
00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:35,095
'OK. If we get to the stage where
the CT scan shows up something,
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00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:38,655
'and they go, "Not happy with that,"
we'll give you another shout.'
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00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:40,215
OK. OK, thank you.
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00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:51,575
With the police investigation
into Shannon's death concluded,
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00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:55,895
an external examination
can now take place.
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00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:58,495
Tattoos and piercings.
213
00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:02,735
Polych romatic tattoo,
left ankle and foot.
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00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:04,775
Yeah.
215
00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:06,655
She's got three piercings
216
00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:10,815
to... the right ear.
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00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:14,655
Yeah.
Ancl then two to the left.
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00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:18,815
OK. Medical intervention?
219
00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:20,655
None seen.
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00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:29,295
She came around on the Monday,
221
00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:31,655
she were feeling
a bit unwell, coughing.
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00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:33,535
We thought nothing of it,
she was having a laugh
223
00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:37,615
in the front room with her sisters,
and then she went home.
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00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:40,895
Ancl then the clay after,
I got a text just saying that,
225
00:15:40,920 --> 00:15:43,295
"I've got the doctor's
at half past ten".
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00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:45,655
They just said
that she had a chest infection.
227
00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:48,335
Nothing serious.
228
00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:51,975
I just feell should have rung her
to see how she was,
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00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,415
but I thought she'd be feeling
a lot better in the morning.
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00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:59,015
Because she was such a young person,
all she had was asthma,
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00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:01,375
she had no other medical conditions.
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00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,615
'I got the phone call
about five to ten the next morning
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00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:06,175
'saying that she'd passed away.'
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00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:10,815
Ancl part of me feels
I wish I'd rung her
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00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:13,575
because I feel that...
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00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:18,215
...that I hope she didn't think
I didn't care.
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00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:24,575
So, it is...
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00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:27,975
it's really hard knowing
that she's not here any more.
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00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:42,935
There are certain cases
that get to me more.
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00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:46,295
Even though how awful it is
losing a relative at any age,
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00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:49,295
I think the ones
that I take on personally
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00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:52,975
are the ones that are, like,
a similar age to me, maybe,
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00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,855
or children,
or, like, a sudden death.
244
00:16:57,240 --> 00:17:01,775
Ancl we know that we're taking care
of that patient the best we can.
245
00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:06,135
It is a privilege.
246
00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:25,295
36-year-old Robert Blonski,
who died after collapsing
247
00:17:25,320 --> 00:17:27,655
at a homeless accommodation site
in Blackburn,
248
00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:29,935
has arrived
at Royal Preston Hospital
249
00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:32,575
for a postmortem CT scan.
250
00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:40,455
So, we have with us today
Robert Blonski.
251
00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:46,935
We'll definitely be looking
for things like evidence
252
00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:48,655
of any skull fractures.
253
00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:53,055
We're also looking for evidence
of any bleeds on the brain.
254
00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,775
They, usually...
they would appear white
255
00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:58,895
as opposed to the sort of
grey colour of the brain tissue.
256
00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:03,735
So, at the minute,
there doesn't appear to be
257
00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:06,295
anything glaringly obvious.
258
00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:11,335
So we'll go on to scan his heart now
in a bit more detail.
259
00:18:15,120 --> 00:18:18,135
We will get all these images
sent across to our radiologist,
260
00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:21,135
who'll finalise a report
and then send that onto the coroner.
261
00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:27,335
The police have traced
Robert's family.
262
00:18:27,360 --> 00:18:30,135
They live in Poland
and do not speak any English.
263
00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:34,535
Coroner's officer Debbie Stewart
must call the next of kin
264
00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:37,015
with the help of an interpreter.
265
00:18:37,040 --> 00:18:39,735
'Please speak the name
of the desired language.'
266
00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:41,175
Polish.
267
00:18:45,360 --> 00:18:48,215
Good morning.
My name is Debbie Stewart,
268
00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:50,575
and I'm going to be ringing
the brother
269
00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:53,015
of a deceased gentleman
that I'm dealing with.
270
00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,855
His name is Daniel Blonski.
271
00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:21,535
When you have the death
of a foreign national,
272
00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:25,015
there are number of things
you have to take care of.
273
00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:27,775
There is an international treaty
that requires us
274
00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:30,175
to notify the Polish authorities
275
00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:33,975
that one of their nationals has died
in our country.
276
00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:37,495
Liaising with the next of kin
is much more difficult.
277
00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,815
The Coroner's Service is unique
278
00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:44,575
to places that have had
English law -
279
00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:48,895
places like Canada,
New Zealand, Australia.
280
00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:50,495
So trying to explain to a family,
281
00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:53,695
who may never have come across
a coroner's service
282
00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:57,135
and may have no equivalent
in their own country,
283
00:19:57,160 --> 00:19:59,415
is its first challenge.
284
00:20:05,120 --> 00:20:10,415
Robert's postmortem CT scan
is being reviewed by a radiologist
285
00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:13,215
in an attempt to reveal
his cause of death.
286
00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:20,375
Obviously,
history of previous assault,
287
00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,935
but we know the CT at the time
was normal.
288
00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:24,975
Equally as important,
289
00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:26,815
there's no evidence
that he sustained
290
00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:31,135
any significant injury
within the brain in the meantime.
291
00:20:31,160 --> 00:20:33,215
Then we look through the abdomen.
292
00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:36,055
History of alcoholism here,
so important to look at the liver
293
00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:39,375
because alcoholics frequently get
liver disease.
294
00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,735
No, there's no gross evidence here
295
00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:44,095
that the patient's got
alcoholic liver disease.
296
00:20:44,120 --> 00:20:47,215
I think it's unlikely
that it's directly relevant
297
00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:48,775
in terms of his cause of death.
298
00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,495
So, now we're looking through
the chest and the heart here,
299
00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:56,375
and there is a history
of chest pain.
300
00:20:56,400 --> 00:21:00,375
He's a relatively young man,
but that doesn't mean to say
301
00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:03,455
that he couldn't have
coronary artery disease.
302
00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:06,215
And, in fact, if you look here
303
00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:09,255
at the main coronary artery
on the left side,
304
00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:13,095
there are definite areas
of significant calcification.
305
00:21:13,120 --> 00:21:16,255
The CT has ruled out
several other potential causes.
306
00:21:16,280 --> 00:21:18,615
You know, we can rule out trauma,
for example.
307
00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:22,055
So what I would be saying
to the coroner in this case is
308
00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:24,415
toxicology is important
because of the history,
309
00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:28,015
and the coroner will make a decision
on cause of death
310
00:21:28,040 --> 00:21:30,215
once we have
those results available.
311
00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:34,855
There are a number of
concerning features about this case.
312
00:21:36,360 --> 00:21:39,855
The difficulty with this
is that Mr Blonski uses alcohol
313
00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:44,695
to a significant excess,
and he may have alcoholic poisoning.
314
00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:49,415
But we don't know whether or not
this has got any relation
315
00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:52,415
to what has caused his death
at this point in time.
316
00:22:03,120 --> 00:22:06,015
LESLEY SHARP:
The investigation is continuing
317
00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:10,735
into the death of a 36-year-old man,
who was found collapsed.
318
00:22:10,760 --> 00:22:14,055
Robert Blonski is a Polish national
319
00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:18,575
who is living in the UK
and is homeless most of the time.
320
00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:21,615
He has a history of alcoholism.
321
00:22:21,640 --> 00:22:26,575
He has been to hospital
on a number of different occasions.
322
00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:30,895
He was brought in earlier on the
evening of his death by the police
323
00:22:30,920 --> 00:22:33,415
and left before being seen.
324
00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:37,335
He is then found collapsed
in his homeless pod shelter.
325
00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:47,455
Robert had received help
from a government-funded program me.
326
00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:50,655
Robert was heavily in addiction.
327
00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:53,495
When you're in addiction,
it consumes everything.
328
00:22:53,520 --> 00:22:56,055
It takes over your life,
it becomes your priority.
329
00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:59,615
So your basic needs,
such as your food, your shelter,
330
00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:01,615
they're not a priority any more,
331
00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:04,455
and that has a profound impact
on someone's physical health.
332
00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:10,975
We tried to guide him and steer him
towards making better choices.
333
00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:12,815
Ancl that's, really, I think,
334
00:23:12,840 --> 00:23:15,295
at that point in Robert's life,
all we could offer him
335
00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:20,455
because he wasn't ready to address
any issues himself.
336
00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:24,455
In Robert's case, because
he was such a likeable person,
337
00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:26,815
services were really upset
338
00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:28,455
when they found out
that he'd passed away.
339
00:23:35,240 --> 00:23:37,575
Coroner's officer Debbie
340
00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:41,895
needs to update Robert's next of kin
in Poland
341
00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:43,615
with the help of an interpreter.
342
00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:48,735
Daniel, I now have the results
from the CT postmortem scan.
343
00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:51,255
What the scan has shown
344
00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:56,895
is calcification
in the left coronary artery.
345
00:23:56,920 --> 00:24:00,895
What has also happened
is a sample of Robert's blood
346
00:24:00,920 --> 00:24:03,855
has been sent
for toxicology testing.
347
00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:06,215
It may take a few weeks
348
00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:08,935
before we get the results
of those tests.
349
00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:18,255
You will be able to do that now.
350
00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:22,095
The coroner has authorised
that Robert can be released
351
00:24:22,120 --> 00:24:24,535
so that his funeral can go ahead.
352
00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:42,015
Robert's repatriation to Poland
may take several weeks,
353
00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:45,055
so he will remain
at Royal Blackburn Hospital.
354
00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:47,415
In the meantime,
we're gonna move him out
355
00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:50,575
into our long-term storage
so we can look after him out there
356
00:24:50,600 --> 00:24:53,455
whilst they're finishing
the arrangements.
357
00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:56,655
So I'm just going to record
in my register that I'm moving him
358
00:24:56,680 --> 00:24:59,415
so that we know where he's located.
359
00:24:59,440 --> 00:25:02,695
The specialist storage facility
360
00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:05,415
is kept at a lower temperature
than the mortuary.
361
00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:09,815
Anyone staying for longer
than 30 days is moved there.
362
00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:12,335
Whether or not
this case goes to inquest
363
00:25:12,360 --> 00:25:15,255
will be determined
by what the toxicology shows.
364
00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:21,975
And if it shows
acute alcoholic poisoning,
365
00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:24,335
an inquest will be required.
366
00:25:24,360 --> 00:25:26,735
Equally,
if it doesn't show anything,
367
00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:29,735
this will be a natural death
due to his heart disease.
368
00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:32,695
But at the moment,
until the results come back,
369
00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:34,175
I can't make that decision.
370
00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:48,855
The coroner is also investigating
the sudden and unexpected death
371
00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:53,455
of 25-year-old Shannon jump,
who was found dead at home.
372
00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:56,335
A postmortem CT scan
has been ordered.
373
00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:03,975
Shannon jump is a 25-year-old woman
374
00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:07,455
who lives at home
with her child and partner
375
00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:11,215
and has had a three- or four-day
history of cough and cold.
376
00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:13,855
Her partner has last seen her alive
377
00:26:13,880 --> 00:26:16,415
at approximately one o'clock
in the morning
378
00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:21,415
and the next day finds her dead
in bed with no apparent cause.
379
00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:27,895
There is some family history
of heart disease,
380
00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:30,975
but it's uncertain whether or not
it's connected to Shannon.
381
00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:36,695
So, we'll start off
by scanning Shannon top to toe.
382
00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:38,655
We'll scan her whole body through.
383
00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:41,575
Ancl then, because of her age,
we'll do an angiogram of her heart
384
00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:44,295
where we'll inject some contrast
into the catheter
385
00:26:44,320 --> 00:26:46,175
that has been placed
by the mortuary staff
386
00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:48,895
and hopefully get a bit more detail
for the radiologist.
387
00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:52,535
Someone this young,
388
00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:54,895
you wouldn't usually expect them
to pass away
389
00:26:54,920 --> 00:26:56,415
from just having a chest infection.
390
00:26:56,440 --> 00:26:58,775
It does seem quite strange.
391
00:27:02,600 --> 00:27:05,495
This area of white here
is the contrast,
392
00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:09,895
and you can see the tiny vessels
all filled with white,
393
00:27:09,920 --> 00:27:11,655
so they're all filled nicely
with contrast.
394
00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:30,255
Shannon's partner
is not the father of her child.
395
00:27:30,280 --> 00:27:32,535
Hello.
Are you coming? Grandma.
396
00:27:32,560 --> 00:27:34,895
Are you coming? Come on, then. Oh.
397
00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:37,735
Shannon's mum is now bringing up
her granddaughter.
398
00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:39,135
Hello.
Say hello.
399
00:27:39,160 --> 00:27:40,775
JOSIE: Cheeky.
400
00:27:40,800 --> 00:27:42,615
JOSIE BABBLES
Who is it?
401
00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:45,215
That's Mummy. Is that Mummy?
402
00:27:45,240 --> 00:27:46,815
Give Mum a kiss.
403
00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:51,255
That's your mummy.
404
00:27:51,280 --> 00:27:55,735
Shannon doted on her daughter,
Josie, who's 16 months old.
405
00:27:55,760 --> 00:27:58,895
Everything she did was for her.
406
00:27:58,920 --> 00:28:02,575
She worked all the hours just
to provide for my granddaughter.
407
00:28:04,760 --> 00:28:07,575
Just so hard knowing that
she's not gonna be here any more
408
00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:12,455
or walk in thorough the door
and saying, "Hiya!"
409
00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:17,975
So, when I got the phone call
about Shannon passing away,
410
00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:22,415
it was only four months
after my husband passing.
411
00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:25,095
I have questions
about why Shannon passed,
412
00:28:25,120 --> 00:28:27,895
whether it was linked to her clad,
heart conditions.
413
00:28:27,920 --> 00:28:31,055
Did Shannon have any of it?
Was it hereditary?
414
00:28:32,360 --> 00:28:34,695
There was no signs
of it going to happen.
415
00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:36,575
She still should be here.
416
00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:40,175
I'm taking each clay as it comes,
417
00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:44,495
doing everything I can forjosie
so she doesn't forget her mum.
418
00:28:44,520 --> 00:28:46,215
We're such a close family.
419
00:28:46,240 --> 00:28:49,095
Everybody's found it really hard
that she's passed.
420
00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:51,735
So it's in memory of Shannon
421
00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:54,095
and that she knows
that we're doing our best
422
00:28:54,120 --> 00:28:55,855
and will keep Josie safe.
423
00:28:57,680 --> 00:28:59,855
She's just been took way too soon.
424
00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:18,655
Shannon's postmortem CT scan
425
00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:21,175
will now be reviewed
by a consultant radiologist.
426
00:29:22,480 --> 00:29:25,855
We've got the background history,
and we move onto the scan.
427
00:29:25,880 --> 00:29:27,615
So, looking through the brain,
428
00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:30,295
it doesn't really fit
with this history,
429
00:29:30,320 --> 00:29:34,615
but there's no acute abnormality
in the brain or the head.
430
00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:37,095
Then we look down through the chest.
431
00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:40,095
Some people can have
underlying cardiac abnormalities
432
00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:42,015
that they're completely unaware of.
433
00:29:42,040 --> 00:29:44,375
There's nothing abnormal
434
00:29:44,400 --> 00:29:47,335
in terms of the radiological
appearances of the heart.
435
00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:51,735
Ancl if we change onto the windows
that show us the lungs,
436
00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:55,575
there's areas throughout
this left lung that look abnormal.
437
00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:57,935
So, for example,
there's an area here
438
00:29:57,960 --> 00:30:01,175
where we see a small cavity forming
within the lung.
439
00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:04,335
There's background areas
of air space consolidation.
440
00:30:04,360 --> 00:30:07,295
So, this area here,
the dark-grey area,
441
00:30:07,320 --> 00:30:09,695
is normal lung, effectively.
442
00:30:09,720 --> 00:30:11,535
And when we compare,
we can death; see
443
00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:14,135
these patch areas within
the left lung that are abnormal.
444
00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:17,135
So, basically,
we've got an abnormal left lung,
445
00:30:17,160 --> 00:30:19,775
a clinical history of shortness
of breath and chest pain
446
00:30:19,800 --> 00:30:22,495
and recent diagnosis
of chest infection.
447
00:30:22,520 --> 00:30:24,495
If we put the two together,
448
00:30:24,520 --> 00:30:26,855
I think it's fairly clear
in this case, sadly,
449
00:30:26,880 --> 00:30:29,055
that Shannon's passed away
from pneumonia.
450
00:30:30,480 --> 00:30:33,455
Shannon's CT postmortem results
have come back.
451
00:30:33,480 --> 00:30:36,815
She has got infiltrates in her lung.
452
00:30:36,840 --> 00:30:38,815
She has got infection in her lung
453
00:30:38,840 --> 00:30:42,335
spreading throughout,
which is bronchopneumonia.
454
00:30:42,360 --> 00:30:45,375
This is a significant infection,
455
00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:49,695
and this is an infection that
kills people, even at a young age,
456
00:30:49,720 --> 00:30:51,055
and kills them very quickly.
457
00:30:59,280 --> 00:31:01,895
Coroners' officer Becky )ones
458
00:31:01,920 --> 00:31:04,615
must update the family
with a cause of death.
459
00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:07,095
PHONE RINGS
'Hello?'
460
00:31:07,120 --> 00:31:10,135
Hi, Angela. It's Becky calling from
the coroner's office at Preston.
461
00:31:10,160 --> 00:31:11,975
I'm just giving you a call
462
00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:15,575
to let you know that the CT scan
results have come back now. 'Right.'
463
00:31:15,600 --> 00:31:20,095
Ancl the scan has established a cause
of death for Shannon. 'Right.'
464
00:31:20,120 --> 00:31:23,735
So, the cause of death that has
been found is pneumonia. 'Right.'
465
00:31:25,680 --> 00:31:28,655
So for that reason,
the coroner's reviewed the report,
466
00:31:28,680 --> 00:31:31,935
and they don't believe that
a further postmortem will be needed.
467
00:31:31,960 --> 00:31:34,815
So Shannon can be collected
from the hospital now
468
00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:36,535
for your funeral arrangements.
469
00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:38,775
CHILD BABBLES,
ANGELA CRI ES
470
00:31:46,120 --> 00:31:48,455
Shannon's only 25 years old.
471
00:31:48,480 --> 00:31:52,255
We don't have many cases
of young people dying of pneumonia,
472
00:31:52,280 --> 00:31:56,095
and Mum's probably gonna find that
quite hard.
473
00:31:56,120 --> 00:31:59,775
She is also looking after Shannon's
little one for her now as well.
474
00:32:04,200 --> 00:32:08,575
We don't have medical training
in this role, but we do learn,
475
00:32:08,600 --> 00:32:11,055
and we learn
what's not as common as well.
476
00:32:11,080 --> 00:32:12,775
So, this is one that...
477
00:32:12,800 --> 00:32:16,135
I've never dealt with before
and I hope I don't have to again.
478
00:32:22,320 --> 00:32:24,815
I think no matter what age
a person is when they die,
479
00:32:24,840 --> 00:32:27,335
it's still someone's mum or clad,
or... Yeah, clad.
480
00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:28,775
BOTH: Sister, brother.
Yeah.
481
00:32:28,800 --> 00:32:32,175
So it's always sad for everyone,
no matter what age they get to.
482
00:32:33,920 --> 00:32:37,575
But in terms of us, younger ones
are harder to deal with.
483
00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:39,415
Oh, yeah, definitely.
484
00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:43,575
They're either closer, maybe, to
our children or our friends. Yeah.
485
00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:44,975
Sometimes, they, you know...
486
00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:48,255
they've died in circumstances
that could have... been avoided.
487
00:32:49,880 --> 00:32:52,455
It does make you realise
how fragile life is.
488
00:33:03,560 --> 00:33:06,055
36-year-old Robert Blonski
489
00:33:06,080 --> 00:33:09,775
died shortly after arriving
at Royal Blackburn Hospital.
490
00:33:09,800 --> 00:33:13,455
His cause of death
is currently being investigated,
491
00:33:13,480 --> 00:33:17,255
but the coroner has authorised
his release back to his family.
492
00:33:17,280 --> 00:33:21,655
So, the undertakers are coming
to collect Mr Blonski from us today,
493
00:33:21,680 --> 00:33:23,375
get him ready to repatriate him.
494
00:33:24,880 --> 00:33:27,455
He'll be going back to Poland
for his funeral.
495
00:33:33,120 --> 00:33:36,575
So, this is Robert Mariusz Blonski.
496
00:33:38,040 --> 00:33:40,295
'We've usually got
one or two patients with us
497
00:33:40,320 --> 00:33:41,575
'that have been here a little while.
498
00:33:41,600 --> 00:33:43,135
'Either they haven't got families,
499
00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:45,975
'or families are having difficulties
making arrangements.
500
00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:48,335
'So it's quite common for us
to have one or two patients
501
00:33:48,360 --> 00:33:50,095
'that have been with us
a couple of months.'
502
00:34:09,720 --> 00:34:12,415
The toxicology lab
is looking to establish
503
00:34:12,440 --> 00:34:14,415
whether drugs or alcohol
504
00:34:14,440 --> 00:34:17,015
have caused or contributed
to Robert's death.
505
00:34:20,440 --> 00:34:22,015
In this case, Dr Adeley has asked us
506
00:34:22,040 --> 00:34:24,375
to explore
a number of different avenues.
507
00:34:24,400 --> 00:34:27,175
We know that the gentleman
was known to drink to excess,
508
00:34:27,200 --> 00:34:31,655
so Dr Adeley would like us
to exclude alcohol toxicity
509
00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:34,175
because alcohol poisoning
is a very common cause of death.
510
00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:37,255
We're also going to explore
the possibility
511
00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:40,375
that the alcohol that may
have been drunk by this gentleman
512
00:34:40,400 --> 00:34:42,695
may have been contaminated
with other alcohols.
513
00:34:43,880 --> 00:34:46,135
Alcohol in alcoholic drinks
is ethanol.
514
00:34:46,160 --> 00:34:48,495
There are other more toxic alcohols
515
00:34:48,520 --> 00:34:51,535
that may be contaminated
in illicit sources of alcohol,
516
00:34:51,560 --> 00:34:54,455
and that may be something like
methanol, which is incredibly toxic.
517
00:34:56,040 --> 00:34:58,815
So we will screen
for all of the illicit compounds
518
00:34:58,840 --> 00:35:01,175
as well as prescription medications
519
00:35:01,200 --> 00:35:03,895
because it's important
that we explore all avenues
520
00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:06,095
in the cause of death in this case.
521
00:35:12,920 --> 00:35:15,415
Toxicology has been returned,
522
00:35:15,440 --> 00:35:17,775
and it will be necessary
to go to inquest
523
00:35:17,800 --> 00:35:21,055
to compare this
against the findings of the CT scan
524
00:35:21,080 --> 00:35:22,775
to determine a cause of death.
525
00:35:24,200 --> 00:35:25,375
LINE BEEPS
526
00:35:25,400 --> 00:35:27,575
AUTOMATED REPLY:
'Please hold for an interpreter.'
527
00:35:28,400 --> 00:35:29,655
Good morning, Daniel.
528
00:35:29,680 --> 00:35:35,375
Legally, the coroner
now has to hold an inquest.
529
00:35:35,400 --> 00:35:40,055
Once I have the date of the inquest,
I'll send a further email.
530
00:35:40,080 --> 00:35:42,335
INTERPRETER:
531
00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:44,975
OK, thank you. Bye-bye now.
532
00:35:48,080 --> 00:35:51,015
What I'm going to do now
is request some other statements
533
00:35:51,040 --> 00:35:52,535
that will assist the coroner.
534
00:35:52,560 --> 00:35:55,695
There was a couple of witnesses
at his home address
535
00:35:55,720 --> 00:35:58,215
who he spoke to
on the evening of his death
536
00:35:58,240 --> 00:36:01,455
and, in fact, one of his neighbours
who actually found him unresponsive,
537
00:36:01,480 --> 00:36:04,495
so I'll be asking the police
to obtain statements from them.
538
00:36:12,920 --> 00:36:15,615
With no family living in the UK,
539
00:36:15,640 --> 00:36:18,615
Robert's brother Daniel
and partner Izabella
540
00:36:18,640 --> 00:36:22,135
have travelled from Poland
to attend the upcoming inquest.
541
00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:30,055
IN POLISH:
542
00:36:53,240 --> 00:36:54,615
From an early age,
543
00:36:54,640 --> 00:36:58,495
both Robert and Daniel lived
in a children's home in Poland.
544
00:38:15,920 --> 00:38:17,175
LESLEY SHARP: It's the day
545
00:38:17,200 --> 00:38:20,695
of 36-year-old Robert Blonkski's
inquest.
546
00:38:20,720 --> 00:38:24,295
Robert's brother, Daniel,
and his partner, Izabella,
547
00:38:24,320 --> 00:38:26,615
have travelled from Poland
to attend.
548
00:38:28,720 --> 00:38:31,175
Establishing the cause of death
at the inquest
549
00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:33,535
will be listening to the evidence.
550
00:38:33,560 --> 00:38:35,855
Weighing it all in the balance
to see whether or not
551
00:38:35,880 --> 00:38:38,215
it is his coronary artery disease
552
00:38:38,240 --> 00:38:41,095
or the amount of alcohol
that he's drunk
553
00:38:41,120 --> 00:38:43,775
that is the principal factor
causing his death -
554
00:38:43,800 --> 00:38:46,135
or whether it's a combination
of the pair of them.
555
00:38:46,160 --> 00:38:49,855
But it will only be after
I have heard all of the evidence
556
00:38:49,880 --> 00:38:52,335
that I can make up my mind
and come to a decision.
557
00:38:53,720 --> 00:38:56,655
Daniel, Izabella,
I just wanted to explain to you
558
00:38:56,680 --> 00:38:59,895
what's going to happen today
when we go into court.
559
00:38:59,920 --> 00:39:03,495
The coroner's asked for a number of
witnesses to come and give evidence.
560
00:39:03,520 --> 00:39:06,135
INTERPRETING
561
00:39:06,160 --> 00:39:10,455
IN POLISH:
562
00:39:10,480 --> 00:39:11,615
Yes.
563
00:39:19,640 --> 00:39:20,775
WOMAN: All rise.
564
00:39:28,080 --> 00:39:30,335
MAN: Could you tell me
your occupation, please?
565
00:39:30,360 --> 00:39:33,055
I work at the homeless pods.
566
00:39:33,080 --> 00:39:35,415
Now, I believe you were on duty
567
00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:38,415
on the evening that Robert Blonski
is then found collapsed.
568
00:39:38,440 --> 00:39:41,855
What can you remember, please?
You could tell he'd had a drink.
569
00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:44,655
I wouldn't say
he was very intoxicated.
570
00:39:44,680 --> 00:39:47,975
He opened his window and leant
his arm out to have a cigarette.
571
00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:52,375
About 20 minutes later,
he was still in the same position.
572
00:39:52,400 --> 00:39:55,135
I went to check on him.
I couldn't see him breathing.
573
00:39:55,160 --> 00:39:56,735
Couldn't find a pulse.
574
00:39:58,800 --> 00:40:01,335
I'm going to deal now
with the toxicology results.
575
00:40:01,360 --> 00:40:04,775
These show that he had
a blood alcohol concentration
576
00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:08,255
of 329mg per decilitre,
577
00:40:08,280 --> 00:40:12,295
which demonstrates
potentially fatal intoxication.
578
00:40:12,320 --> 00:40:14,895
Robert Blonski
was smoking a cigarette
579
00:40:14,920 --> 00:40:17,575
and was found collapsed
in that position.
580
00:40:17,600 --> 00:40:20,495
The difficulty
that I'm faced with here
581
00:40:20,520 --> 00:40:23,655
is that Robert Blonski
has a high alcohol level
582
00:40:23,680 --> 00:40:26,295
and also has
coronary artery disease.
583
00:40:28,040 --> 00:40:30,455
MAN: I'm a consultant
in emergency medicine
584
00:40:30,480 --> 00:40:33,335
at East Lancashire Hospitals
NHS Trust.
585
00:40:35,000 --> 00:40:38,455
The CT scan showed evidence
of coronary artery disease,
586
00:40:38,480 --> 00:40:41,095
which can cause a heart attack.
587
00:40:41,120 --> 00:40:43,535
The fact that Robert
was found in that position
588
00:40:43,560 --> 00:40:47,015
makes me think that he had
a very sudden cause for his death,
589
00:40:47,040 --> 00:40:49,735
which is more likely to be,
in my opinion,
590
00:40:49,760 --> 00:40:53,175
explained by a heart attack
rather than alcohol toxicity.
591
00:40:54,840 --> 00:40:56,455
I accept the medical evidence
592
00:40:56,480 --> 00:41:00,255
that the most likely cause of death
is that of coronary artery disease.
593
00:41:00,280 --> 00:41:03,095
Ancl consequently,
this is a natural death.
594
00:41:04,880 --> 00:41:08,615
My condolences are and remain
with Mr Blonski's family.
595
00:41:20,480 --> 00:41:23,295
IN POLISH:
596
00:41:42,120 --> 00:41:46,855
In this inquest, there was always
two possible causes of death -
597
00:41:46,880 --> 00:41:49,695
there's the heart disease
and the alcohol.
598
00:41:49,720 --> 00:41:53,095
Ancl the alcohol remained
a possible cause of death
599
00:41:53,120 --> 00:41:56,935
right up to the point
that we heard how he was found,
600
00:41:56,960 --> 00:41:59,895
which allowed the accident
and emergency consultant
601
00:41:59,920 --> 00:42:03,375
to explain that this was
a very sudden cause of death,
602
00:42:03,400 --> 00:42:06,695
which makes it a cardiac
and a natural cause of death.
603
00:42:18,080 --> 00:42:19,975
IN POLISH:
604
00:42:56,560 --> 00:43:00,935
It's been two months
since 25-year-old Shannon jump's
605
00:43:00,960 --> 00:43:05,375
sudden and unexpected death
from bronchopneumonia.
606
00:43:11,840 --> 00:43:15,335
Today, we've come
to have tattoos clone
607
00:43:15,360 --> 00:43:17,695
with Shannon's ashes in.
608
00:43:17,720 --> 00:43:20,615
I'm having a pink rose
put next to my husband's blue rose
609
00:43:20,640 --> 00:43:22,975
with ashes in
so they'll be together.
610
00:43:28,280 --> 00:43:29,895
How that's feeling?
That's fine.
611
00:43:31,800 --> 00:43:34,895
Well, my husband
was a big Everton fan...
612
00:43:34,920 --> 00:43:37,375
so that's why his is blue.
613
00:43:37,400 --> 00:43:39,775
Ancl Shannon,
she just absolutely loved pink.
614
00:43:41,520 --> 00:43:45,895
It doesn't seem real that she's...
she's not here, to be honest.
615
00:43:45,920 --> 00:43:47,855
I still expect her
to walk through the door
616
00:43:47,880 --> 00:43:50,695
or just ring me, saying,
"Mum, do you wanna go shopping?"
617
00:43:50,720 --> 00:43:52,215
You know,
just little things like that.
618
00:43:53,720 --> 00:43:56,775
She was so loud, bubbly.
619
00:43:56,800 --> 00:43:58,815
She was just a fantastic person,
620
00:43:58,840 --> 00:44:01,775
and Shannon, all she ever wanted
to do was be a mum.
621
00:44:11,560 --> 00:44:13,095
I've got a part of my husband,
622
00:44:13,120 --> 00:44:15,735
and now I've got
a part of my daughter with me,
623
00:44:15,760 --> 00:44:17,215
no matter where we go.
624
00:44:20,440 --> 00:44:21,895
Right, missus, you're clone.
625
00:44:38,880 --> 00:44:41,135
There is no explanation
as to why he's cited.
626
00:44:41,160 --> 00:44:42,975
He's fit, he's well.
627
00:44:43,000 --> 00:44:46,055
The death certificate from Egypt
628
00:44:46,080 --> 00:44:49,375
shows no postmortem
has been performed. OK.
629
00:44:49,400 --> 00:44:52,495
All Lesley had came to us with
was a copy of his passport
630
00:44:52,520 --> 00:44:54,095
attached to the outside
of his coffin.
631
00:44:54,120 --> 00:44:57,015
Oh, he's on holiday.
He can't have cited.
632
00:44:57,040 --> 00:45:00,255
It's the furthest thought
from your mind
633
00:45:00,280 --> 00:45:04,055
that something this horrendous
is ever gonna happen to you.