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Victoria Couchman's skull 'found by children playing' Victoria Couchman's skull 'found by children playing'
(about 1 hour later)
Children played with a dead woman's skull after finding it in woodland in East Sussex, an inquest has heard.Children played with a dead woman's skull after finding it in woodland in East Sussex, an inquest has heard.
Youngsters made the discovery in Redgeland Wood in the Queensway area of St Leonards-on-Sea in October 2008. Youngsters made the discovery in Redgeland Wood in the Queensway area of St Leonards in October 2008.
Searches of the area uncovered other body parts belonging to Victoria Couchman, 19, who lived in nearby Beecham Place.Searches of the area uncovered other body parts belonging to Victoria Couchman, 19, who lived in nearby Beecham Place.
Her father, Tony Couchman, was charged with her murder but killed himself in prison before he faced trial.Her father, Tony Couchman, was charged with her murder but killed himself in prison before he faced trial.
'Fingertip search' 'No burial attempt'
Forensic archaeologist Lucy Sibun said various body parts belonging to the woman were missing.Forensic archaeologist Lucy Sibun said various body parts belonging to the woman were missing.
She said: "There was no evidence of any attempt to bury. All the remains were laying on the surface without any burial.She said: "There was no evidence of any attempt to bury. All the remains were laying on the surface without any burial.
"No clothing and no personal possessions were found during a fingertip search.""No clothing and no personal possessions were found during a fingertip search."
Ms Couchman's father was facing murder charges in 2010 but bled to death after slashing his arm in his cell on the wing for vulnerable inmates at HMP Lewes. Forensic pathologist Dr Kenneth Shorrock was unable to give a cause of death but said the "distinct possibility" was that Ms Couchman was strangled.
He said: "Victoria was a young woman and a common way to kill young women is to strangle them."
He also said it was "very unlikely" her feet and hands had been removed by a human but more likely they had been removed animals.
Bled to death
Ms Couchman went missing in May 2008 and in August 2009 her father pleaded not guilty to murdering her between 15 May and 18 May 2008.
He was due to stand trial in January 2010 but bled to death after slashing his arm in his cell on the wing for vulnerable inmates at HMP Lewes.
The 47-year-old, who had lived with his daughter in Beecham Place, was also accused of perverting the course of justice. He had denied both charges.The 47-year-old, who had lived with his daughter in Beecham Place, was also accused of perverting the course of justice. He had denied both charges.
The inquest into the death is being held at Hastings Magistrates Court.The inquest into the death is being held at Hastings Magistrates Court.