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Down Hall pool deaths: Komba Kpakiwa and Josephine Newahun named | Down Hall pool deaths: Komba Kpakiwa and Josephine Newahun named |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two people thought to have drowned in a hotel pool were seen alive just 15 minutes earlier, an inquest heard. | |
Komba Kpakiwa, 31, from Erith in Kent, and Josephine Newahun Foday, 22, from London, were found at the luxury Down Hall Country House Hotel in Hatfield Heath on Saturday. | Komba Kpakiwa, 31, from Erith in Kent, and Josephine Newahun Foday, 22, from London, were found at the luxury Down Hall Country House Hotel in Hatfield Heath on Saturday. |
An inquest into their deaths opened in Chelmsford was told Ms Foday was at the hotel to celebrate her birthday. | An inquest into their deaths opened in Chelmsford was told Ms Foday was at the hotel to celebrate her birthday. |
Mr Komba was also there for a birthday celebration, the inquest heard. | Mr Komba was also there for a birthday celebration, the inquest heard. |
Eleanor McGann, deputy coroner for Essex, opened and adjourned the inquest during a brief hearing. | |
The court heard the pair were found floating face down in the water at about 19:30 BST. Efforts to save them failed. | |
Consistent with drowning | |
Witnesses, including hotel guests, had seen them alive in swimming gear 15 minutes earlier, the hearing was told. | |
Essex Police said a provisional post-mortem examination found their deaths were consistent with drowning. | |
A police spokesman said the deaths were not being treated as suspicious. | |
Police are focusing on the relationship between the victims as part of their investigation. | |
Chris Falcus, manager of Down Hall Hotel, said: "We wish to reiterate our condolences to the friends and families of the lady and gentleman concerned. | |
"Both myself and the team at the hotel are deeply upset by what has happened." |
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