Woman Found Dead in Overflowing Bath During Leak Investigation, Inquest Hears
A maintenance worker discovered the body of a 31-year-old woman in a bath in April 2016, an inquest was told.
The body of Laura Marshall, 31, was found by a maintenance man investigating a leak in a block of flats in Lurgan in April 2016. The inquest heard that Marshall's body was discovered in an overflowing bath at her Victoria Street home. A police officer present at the scene described the scene as having the "hallmarks of a domestic violence-related murder."
The maintenance man was called to the property after a resident reported water leaking through his ceiling. Accompanied by the resident from the flat below, the maintenance worker went to Marshall's flat. He found the lock on the front door loose and was able to force it open. Inside, the flat was dark, and he noticed the floor mat was sodden and the bathroom door handle and spindle were on the hall floor.
After calling out for Marshall with no response, the maintenance man retrieved a screwdriver from his van to unlock the bathroom door, which had a childproof button. He opened the door a few inches and saw Marshall in the bath, face down. He observed bruising on her shoulder, and the taps were still running. The bathroom sink was smashed, and there was blood on the floor.
He immediately contacted the police and was advised he could turn off the running taps. A detective sergeant who attended the scene described circular bruising on Marshall's forehead and also on her arm. Congealed blood was noted higher than the water level in the bath.
During the inquest, it was stated that Marshall had been living with Gary O'Dowd, 38, at the property for several years, and there had been previous complaints of domestic violence against him. O'Dowd was arrested and charged with Marshall's murder but denied any involvement. The case against him was dropped in 2018 when the Public Prosecution Service withdrew all charges.
A forensic scientist testified that both the door frame and the bathroom door showed damage when examined. The scientist confirmed that it was possible to lock the bathroom door from the outside. The inquest is expected to continue for at least another week.