This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/sussex/8438921.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Murder charge father dies in jail Murder charge father dies in jail
(about 1 hour later)
A man who was due to go on trial charged with the murder of his daughter has died in prison.A man who was due to go on trial charged with the murder of his daughter has died in prison.
Tony Couchman, 47, of Beecham Place in St Leonards, East Sussex, was accused of murdering Victoria Couchman, 19, between 15 May and 18 May 2008. Tony Couchman, 47, of St Leonards, East Sussex, was accused of murdering Victoria Couchman, 19, between 15 May and 18 May 2008.
The Prison Service said he was found unconscious in his cell in HMP Lewes, East Sussex, on Saturday and pronounced dead a short while later. The Prison Service said he was found unconscious in his cell in HMP Lewes, East Sussex, on Saturday and pronounced dead a short time later.
He had been due to stand trial at Lewes Crown Court on Monday. He had been due to stand trial at Lewes Crown Court.
Skull foundSkull found
A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "HMP Lewes prisoner Tony Couchman was found unconscious in his cell at 11.30am on Saturday January 2.A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "HMP Lewes prisoner Tony Couchman was found unconscious in his cell at 11.30am on Saturday January 2.
"Paramedics attended the prison, but Mr Couchman was pronounced dead shortly after that time. The cause of death is yet to be determined."Paramedics attended the prison, but Mr Couchman was pronounced dead shortly after that time. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
"As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation.""As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."
Miss Couchman's skull was found by children in Redgeland Wood, in the Queensway area of St Leonards, near Hastings, in October last year.Miss Couchman's skull was found by children in Redgeland Wood, in the Queensway area of St Leonards, near Hastings, in October last year.
The skeleton was uncovered after children found a skull while playing Medical records were used to establish Victoria Couchman's identity
Further human remains were later discovered around the scene.Further human remains were later discovered around the scene.
Medical records were used to identify them as those of Miss Couchman, a single mother-of-one.Medical records were used to identify them as those of Miss Couchman, a single mother-of-one.
Following the discovery Mr Couchman was arrested and charged with her murder.Following the discovery Mr Couchman was arrested and charged with her murder.
He was also charged with perverting the course of justice between 18 October 2008 and 17 April 2009 in connection with the murder investigation. He was also charged with perverting the course of justice between 18 October 2008 and 17 April 2009 in connection with the investigation.
Mr Couchman had denied both charges.Mr Couchman had denied both charges.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Police have confirmed that the man found dead in his cell at Lewes Prison on Saturday was Tony Couchman, whose trial for the murder of his daughter, Vicky, was due to start at Lewes Crown Court today.
"Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him, but he was declared dead at the scene. Police were called, but are satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances and have referred the matter to the Coroner."