Inquest opens into cousin's death

Inquest opens into cousin's death

The inquest into the death of Paul Pearson, the cousin of murdered schoolgirl Kirsty Tidman, who was found dead after being questioned about her killing, was opened and adjourned yesterday. The brief hearing took place as police continued searching the River Thames after Kirsty's headless body, her arms and one of her legs were found in the water.

Kirsty, 14, disappeared from her home near the river in Charlton, southeast London, on May 4. Mr Pearson, 30, was found with his throat cut in an apparent suicide at his home in Plumstead, south London, last Friday. Earlier police had questioned him about Kirsty's disappearance, then released him on bail.

Coroner Selena Lynch opened the inquest into his death at a short hearing at Southwark Coroner's Court, south-east London, and adjourned the hearing to a date to be fixed.