Inquest to examine death of woman killed by husband

A coroner has said there remain "sufficient reasons" for an inquest to investigate the death of a woman after her husband was jailed for her murder more than a year ago.

Taiwo Abodunde, 41, suffered "catastrophic brain injuries" when Olobunmi Abodunde attacked her at their home in Newmarket, Suffolk, in November 2023.

Abodunde, 48, was told he would serve a minimum of 17 years in prison when he was jailed for life last May, having admitted killing his wife with a skateboard.

At a pre-inquest hearing, Suffolk Coroner Darren Stewart said an inquest was needed to address matters "that were not dealt with" during the trial at Ipswich Crown Court.

At Abodunde's trial, the crown court heard how he had been arrested and then bailed the day before his wife's death after Suffolk Police was called to a domestic incident.

The next day, officers returning for a pre-arranged appointment with Mrs Abodunde heard between 40 and 50 "thuds", receiving no reply when they knocked at the door.

They were cleared by senior officers to enter the house at 09:45 GMT, about 25 minutes after they had arrived.

They found the "lifeless body of Mrs Abodunde with her skull smashed in", prosecutor Stephen Spence KC told the court.

The handling of the police's response was examined by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which ruled two officers would face gross incompetence meetings.

Suffolk Police said its investigation to determine whether or not the actions of its attending officers amounted to gross incompetence remained ongoing.

At the pre-inquest hearing, Mr Stewart said he would not conduct the inquest "until after those proceedings have completed", and added: "The inquest is a not a blame game."

The inquest is expected to last two weeks but is not likely to get under way until next March, at the earliest.

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