Inquest opens into woman’s death

HAND-WRITTEN notes were found near the body of the 34-year-old woman found dead below Gorey Castle.

At the opening of Linda Byrne’s inquest this morning, it was also revealed that cut marks were found on her wrists.A member of the public found the body of Ms Byrne, who lived at Sandybrook, St Lawrence, on Petit Portelet beach at around 8 am last Thursday.A post mortem was carried out yesterday by Home Office pathologist Dr Gyan Fernando, who had come to the Island following the killing of nurse Tracy Burns at the weekend.The inquest opening, which lasted about 20 minutes, was attended by Ms Byrne’s fiancé Barry Kirk and her parents, who had flown from Ireland after the death.Giving evidence, Pc Lee Turner told Deputy Viscount Peter de Gruchy that ‘there were no suspicious circumstances’ and he was satisfied that her body could be repatriated to Ireland for burial.Ms Byrne’s parents confirmed that hand-written notes found at the scene were in their daughter’s handwriting.Reading notes from Dr Fernando’s post mortem, Mr de Gruchy said the cuts found on her wrist ‘were the classical signs of self inflicted injuries’ and added that bruises found on her body were probably as a result of her body being in the sea.The inquest was adjourned while toxilogical tests are carried out.Meanwhile, three possible sightings of Ms Byrne have been reported to the police.Investigating officers wish to determine whether all three were Ms Byrne or other women matching her description.Police would like to speak to the following people seen last Wednesday: a woman wearing a red coat with dark hair, walking up Gorey Hill past the church, at approximately 3 pm; a woman wearing a red jacket seen climbing on the beach below Jeffrey’s Leap at about 3.30 pm; a woman wearing a red jacket and black trousers walking past Grouville Church, opposite the parish hall, some time between 5 and 6 pm.Anyone matching, or who knows women who match these descriptions has been asked to call the police on 612612.

Article posted on 17th March, 2004 - 12.00am