Chloe Watson Dransfield: Murdered teen 'died from stab wound to her chest'
Teenager Chloe Watson Dransfield was killed by a stab wound to her chest, a coroner has said.
The 16-year-old died last month after the street knife attack in the Austhorpe area of east Leeds.
The inquest into her death was opened at Wakefield Coroner’s Court by area coroner, Oliver Longstaff, this morning.
During the brief hearing, it was heard that her the provisional cause of death, according to a forensic post mortem report, was a stabbing to the chest.
The case was adjourned to a date to be confirmed, due to the pending legal action against three teenagers charged with Chloe’s murder.
Mr Longstaff said it was “inevitable” that the conclusion of the inquest would be postponed, but described it as a “violent” and “very sad death”.
Chloe, from Gomersal, died in hospital following the incident on Kennerleigh Avenue at about 6am on March 28.
Kayla Smith, 18, Archie Rycroft, 19 and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, recently appeared at Leeds Crown Court for a brief hearing accused of murder.
Smith, Kennerleigh Avenue, Leeds, and Rycroft, of Middleton Park Road, Leeds, appeared via videolink from separate prisons, with the 17-year-old appearing via a video link from a secure accommodation unit.
A provisional date for a trial, estimated to last more than two weeks, was set for November 10, though the date may change.
A 14-year-old boy has also been questioned and released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Following Chloe’s death, her father and other family members paid tribute, saying they were “utterly devastated” and that she would “never be forgotten”.
“We miss every single thing about her. She was beautiful, full of joy, and had a wonderfully cheeky personality,” they said.
“She embraced life with such happiness, and she had her whole future ahead of her. Chloe was loved by everyone who knew her, and the absence she leaves behind is immeasurable.”
In a separate tribute, Chloe’s mother said she “cannot put into words” the loss of her “beautiful princess”.
“You are my life, my world, my best friend and I know that I am yours. I cannot live without you – I need you.”
Members of the public are reminded that this is a live investigation and are asked to refrain from making comments or suggestions which may jeopardise court proceedings.