This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq6g7le8289o
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bournemouth hotel worker's family demand answers over killing | |
| (25 days later) | |
| Marta Elena Vento was beaten and kicked to death while working at a Travelodge hotel | Marta Elena Vento was beaten and kicked to death while working at a Travelodge hotel |
| Relatives of a Travelodge receptionist who was killed by a hotel guest have questioned whether the "brutal" attack could have been prevented, as an inquest into her death opened. | Relatives of a Travelodge receptionist who was killed by a hotel guest have questioned whether the "brutal" attack could have been prevented, as an inquest into her death opened. |
| Marta Elena Vento, 27, was punched, kicked and attacked with hair clippers for 42 minutes, while working alone in the lobby of the Travelodge in Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, on 9 December 2020. | Marta Elena Vento, 27, was punched, kicked and attacked with hair clippers for 42 minutes, while working alone in the lobby of the Travelodge in Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, on 9 December 2020. |
| Her killer, Stephen Cole, 32, was suffering from a psychotic episode and is now detained in hospital indefinitely. | Her killer, Stephen Cole, 32, was suffering from a psychotic episode and is now detained in hospital indefinitely. |
| The inquest heard Cole was discharged from prison with a supply of antipsychotic medication six weeks before the attack, but the pills ran out. | The inquest heard Cole was discharged from prison with a supply of antipsychotic medication six weeks before the attack, but the pills ran out. |
| Ms Elena Vento was on her second shift at the hotel, which had just reopened following a Covid lockdown. | Ms Elena Vento was on her second shift at the hotel, which had just reopened following a Covid lockdown. |
| Shortly after 05:00 GMT, Cole came out of his room and launched a "sustained attack", the inquest was told. | Shortly after 05:00 GMT, Cole came out of his room and launched a "sustained attack", the inquest was told. |
| The receptionist, from Valencia, Spain, suffered "very heavy blows to the face and head" and put up a "most spirited defence", it was heard. | The receptionist, from Valencia, Spain, suffered "very heavy blows to the face and head" and put up a "most spirited defence", it was heard. |
| She was found two hours later by her manager in the restaurant area and was subsequently identified by her fingerprints, the coroner was told. | She was found two hours later by her manager in the restaurant area and was subsequently identified by her fingerprints, the coroner was told. |
| A panic button worn by Ms Elena Vento had not been activated. | A panic button worn by Ms Elena Vento had not been activated. |
| The killer, Stephen Cole, was released from prison six weeks before the attack | The killer, Stephen Cole, was released from prison six weeks before the attack |
| Travelodge staff had observed Cole "acting strangely" and the hotel chain would not have accepted his booking if it had known about his background, the coroner previously heard. | Travelodge staff had observed Cole "acting strangely" and the hotel chain would not have accepted his booking if it had known about his background, the coroner previously heard. |
| He had a history of violence and was being investigated by police for assaults which occurred while inside HMP Winchester, a pre-inquest hearing was told. | He had a history of violence and was being investigated by police for assaults which occurred while inside HMP Winchester, a pre-inquest hearing was told. |
| Prison clinicians had wanted to refer him to a psychiatric intensive care unit, but no space was available. | Prison clinicians had wanted to refer him to a psychiatric intensive care unit, but no space was available. |
| Giving evidence to the inquest, forensic toxicologist Mark Tyler said the killer had "very low" levels of his prescribed olanzapine in his blood when he was arrested. | Giving evidence to the inquest, forensic toxicologist Mark Tyler said the killer had "very low" levels of his prescribed olanzapine in his blood when he was arrested. |
| Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin said the supply of pills had been due to last until 23 November. | Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin said the supply of pills had been due to last until 23 November. |
| The day before the attack, Cole's family tried to get more medication from a GP, the coroner said. | The day before the attack, Cole's family tried to get more medication from a GP, the coroner said. |
| However, the doctor did not issue a prescription because he felt it needed to be referred to an NHS community mental team, she added. | However, the doctor did not issue a prescription because he felt it needed to be referred to an NHS community mental team, she added. |
| Mr Tyler said it was not clear whether any pills taken on 8 December would have had time to take effect before the attack the following day. | Mr Tyler said it was not clear whether any pills taken on 8 December would have had time to take effect before the attack the following day. |
| Marta Elena Vento was a "beloved daughter and sister", her family said | Marta Elena Vento was a "beloved daughter and sister", her family said |
| Before the hearing, Ms Elena Vento's parents said their "lives have been destroyed by the sudden, horrific death of our beautiful daughter". | Before the hearing, Ms Elena Vento's parents said their "lives have been destroyed by the sudden, horrific death of our beautiful daughter". |
| In a statement given outside the court, they said: "Four years have passed since Marta was brutally taken from us. | In a statement given outside the court, they said: "Four years have passed since Marta was brutally taken from us. |
| "Now we desperately need answers about how such a brutal assault can have happened and whether it could have been prevented." | "Now we desperately need answers about how such a brutal assault can have happened and whether it could have been prevented." |
| The inquest, which is being heard without a jury, is expected to last up to six weeks. | The inquest, which is being heard without a jury, is expected to last up to six weeks. |
| Follow BBC South on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240. |