Coroner concludes Mum’s killing of children was unpredictable

Area Coroner, Emma Serrano, conducted an Article 2 compliant inquest into the deaths of Elizabeth and Ethan John, who were killed by their mother, Veronique John, at their home address on 11 June 2023.

Police had been called to the home address on 9 June 2023, following a 999 call from Veronique John. Subsequently Nathan John called Police on the evening on 9 June 2023 reporting that he had been assaulted by his wife and she had threatened to kill him that morning. Veronique John was arrested and interviewed and ultimately released from police custody with a CR1 (community resolution). An investigation by the Professional Standards Department found that police service had fallen below the standard expected in a number of areas and, particularly, that a CR1 was not an appropriate outcome. However, the Coroner concluded that none of the areas where the service fell below that expected, more than minimally contributed to the deaths.

In a statement to the Coroner at the inquest, Mr John stated that he honestly believed no one could have foreseen what Veronique was going to do to the children. Mr John acknowledged that Staffordshire Police had conducted a full local investigation (as directed by the IOPC) into the case, and identified areas of learning, which were already being actioned.

The Coroner concluded, after submissions at the conclusion of the evidence, that neither the operational nor systemic duty under Article 2 was arguably engaged on the facts of the case. The deaths of the children, whilst tragic, was not predictable. The Coroner returned conclusions of unlawful killing.

The Coroner was also satisfied that the concerns she had were being addressed by Staffordshire Police, or had already been addressed. Accordingly, it was unnecessary to issue a Prevention of Future deaths report.

Claire Palmer represented the Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police.