Mystery death of woman found in flat

Mystery surrounds the death of a 57-year-old woman whose badly decomposed body lay in her home for around seven days, an inquest heard tonight.

Dr Richard Shepherd, a forensic pathologist with the UK’s Home Office, was unable to determine the cause of Mary Guy’s death at her home at Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin.

Her brother, Patsy Guy, told the court how he broke in through the window of Ms Guy’s apartment, where she lived alone, to discover her badly decomposed remains on August 6, 2004.

He said: “I saw her on the bed, I knew it was Mary, I noticed her face was badly decomposed.”

Mr Guy said he regularly called in to visit his sister in her downstairs apartment in the block of six flats and had last paid her a visit on July 28 or 29th.

“She was in the best of form,” Mr Guy said,

He made the discovery after he called in to collect Ms Guy to bring her to meet their other sister, Kathleen, who was home from abroad.

Sgt Joseph Kealy of Coolock Garda Station said Ms Guy was found lying crossways on her bed, face up, with both her feet on the floor, after the Fire Brigade broke in her door.

He said there were no tablets or alcohol found on the premises.

Her brother said: “She had a bit of a nervous breakdown a few years before and had been taking medication for that.”

Sgt Kealy said there was a possible sighting on August 2 or 3rd of the woman by her elderly neighbour, but she was definitely spotted alive on July 31.

The sergeant said the doctors could not accurately estimate the time of death but found she had been in the flat for around a week.

Sgt Kealy said there were no suspicious circumstances in the death.

The remains found in the apartment were identified as Ms Guy by a forensic dentist, who examined dental charts.

A report from Dr Shepherd said due to severe decomposition he had been unable to determine the cause of death.

Dublin City Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell said: “There was marked post mortem changes in Mary. Because of warm weather those changes were accelerated because it was in August.”

The autopsy report stated there were no signs of any injuries or coronary disease, apart from a slightly enlarged heart.

Dr Farrell said that due to the state of decomposition the doctors were unable to find a suitable sample for toxicology examination.

“I would feel your sister’s death was probably due to natural causes,” the coroner said. “I have to say the cause of death was not established and give an open verdict.”