The inquest into the death of Gaia Pope-Sutherland has concluded after 12 weeks

Gaia Pope-Sutherland went missing on 7^th November 2017 in Swanage, Dorset. Her disappearance prompted the largest multi-agency search in Dorset Police’s recent history, and Gaia’s body was sadly found in undergrowth off a coastal path south of Swanage eleven days later on 18^th November 2017. Two IOPC investigations followed and the Inquest finally began in April 2022. 

The Inquest, held in the Bournemouth Coroners Court, examined wide-ranging issues relating to Gaia’s medical history, management of her mental health care and her epilepsy care, her contact with police in the days before her death and the police response to her disappearance. There were fifteen Interested Persons, including Gaia’s family, Dorset Police, the IOPC, Her Majesty’s Coastguard, NPAS and multiple NHS Trusts. Over the course of a twelve week hearing, the Coroner heard evidence from more than seventy witnesses, including experts in entomology, psychiatry and epilepsy. The examination of police contact with Gaia from the day of her disappearance onwards was extensive and accounted for a significant proportion of the evidence. Thirty six police witnesses were heard, ranging from control room staff to response officers, a National Search Advisor at the NCA and three Chief Superintendents. 

At the conclusion of the evidence and following legal submissions, the Coroner held that there would be no sound basis upon which causative matters relating to Dorset Police could be left to the jury. Accordingly, the record of inquest reflects that despite a number of missed opportunities and admitted failings, the acts or omissions of Dorset Police did not cause or contribute to Gaia’s tragic death. 

Beatrice Collier and Amy Clarke were instructed on behalf of Dorset Police. Mark Thomas was instructed on behalf of the IOPC.​

The inquest attracted considerable national media coverage, some examples of which can be found here: 

• The Times
• BBC News
• The Guardian
• The Independent
• Daily Mail

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Authors

Beatrice Collier

Call 2004

Mark Thomas

Call 2006

Amy Clarke

Call 2010

Related areas

Inquests

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Police Law

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