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Suffolk victim 'was asphyxiated' Suffolk deaths 'not of overdoses'
(41 minutes later)
A pathologist has told the trial of a man accused of killing five women that one victim may have been suffocated with an arm lock. Five women whose bodies were found in the Ipswich area were regular drug users but they did not die from overdoses, a pathologist has said.
Dr Nathaniel Cary, who examined Gemma Adams' body, was giving evidence in the trial of Steve Wright in Ipswich. Dr Nathaniel Cary, who examined the women's bodies, was giving evidence in the trial of Steve Wright, 49.
Miss Adams, 25, Paula Clennell, 24, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, were working as prostitutes when they disappeared. Gemma Adams, 25, Paula Clennell, 24, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, were working as prostitutes when they disappeared.
Mr Wright, 49, on trial at Ipswich Crown Court, denies their murders. Mr Wright, on trial at Ipswich Crown Court, denies their murders.
Miss Adams' body was the first of the five women to be found over 10 days in December 2006. The bodies the five women were found over 10 days in December 2006.
'Telephone use' These are not simply what we would call drug overdose cases in people who may be addicted to hard drugs Dr Nathaniel Cary
Her naked body was found in a brook at Hintlesham, Suffolk, on 2 December. All were found naked and all the bodies appeared to have been dumped - circumstances that rule out the possibility they died accidentally from an overdose, Dr Carey told the court.
"These were individuals who may have not gone a single hour in a day without some drug on board," he said.
"[But] these are not simply what we would call drug overdose cases in people who may be addicted to hard drugs - because of the circumstances of the disappearances and the dumpings of the bodies and the fact that they were all naked.
"This is not in any shape or form an example of death due to drug overdose."
Arm-lock theory
However, intoxication through drugs may have made it easier for someone to kill them, the jury was told.
Dr Cary described how the naked bodies of Miss Adams and Miss Nicol were found in rivers.
Miss Adams was the first to be found dead, in a brook at Hintlesham, Suffolk, on 2 December.
She had last been seen alive in the early hours of 15 November.She had last been seen alive in the early hours of 15 November.
Pathological evidence suggested she had been killed and put in the water soon after this time, Dr Cary told the court. Despite believing her body had been put in the water soon after she died, Dr Cary said the time of death could not be accurately determined by examining her body.
Gemma Adams was the first of the women to be found deadGemma Adams was the first of the women to be found dead
However, the time of death could not be accurately determined by examining her body, the jury heard. "It's usually not that simple from examination of the body," he told the court.
"It's usually not that simple from examination of the body," Dr Cary said.
"Nowadays last use of the telephone can be terribly important because people seem to be on the telephone all the time.""Nowadays last use of the telephone can be terribly important because people seem to be on the telephone all the time."
Dr Cary said there were no injuries on Miss Adams' body consistent with her having been strangled, and there was no evidence to suggest an item had been placed over her mouth or nose.Dr Cary said there were no injuries on Miss Adams' body consistent with her having been strangled, and there was no evidence to suggest an item had been placed over her mouth or nose.
Drowning theory
However, he said he could not exclude the theory she had been asphyxiated, after being put in an arm lock from behind.However, he said he could not exclude the theory she had been asphyxiated, after being put in an arm lock from behind.
The second woman found dead was Miss Nicol, who had last been seen on 31 October, jurors heard. Body 'manhandled'
Her naked body was also found in a stream, in Copdock on 8 December, but because of the condition of her remains the cause of death could not be ascertained, Dr Cary said. Miss Nicol, was last seen on 31 October, before her body was found in a stream, in Copdock, on 8 December.
As with Miss Adams, he said he had considered the theory she had been asphyxiated, but he could not rule out she had drowned. Because of the condition of her remains the cause of death could not be ascertained, Dr Cary said.
As with Miss Adams, he said he had considered the theory she had been asphyxiated, but he could not rule out the possibility she had drowned.
Miss Nicol had bruises consistent with having been "manhandled" - bruises on her right upper arm and back of her left knee, the court was told.
The bruise on the back of knee could be consistent with someone kneeling on the back of her leg.