Alicia Douglass, 35, was found at her house in Wincobank in Sheffield on August 7, 2024, and her body was so decomposed that the cause of death could not be ascertained
Alicia Douglass led a troubled life but was a wonderful mum, her family said(Image: Facebook)
The body of a Sheffield mother, who left behind a six-year-old daughter, was not discovered for weeks after her death.
Alicia Douglass, 35, was found at her Wincobank home in Sheffield on August 7 2024. Her ex-partner, a 31-year-old man, was initially arrested by South Yorkshire Police on suspicion of murder, but he was never charged and the investigation was subsequently closed.
Sheffield Coroner’s Court heard during her inquest that police were unable to accurately determine the cause of death due to the decomposition of Alicia’s body. There was no evidence of third-party involvement at the scene.
A pathologist estimated that Alicia had been dead for “two to four weeks” before she was found, with her last sighting on CCTV on July 23. Assistant coroner Hannah Berry concluded that the cause of her death was “open”, reports Yorkshire Live.
Alicia’s cousin, Hayley Bates, told the court: “She had a troubled life, but she leaves behind a six-year-old daughter. If there’s anything she got right, it was being a mum to Ava.”
She added: “Alicia’s mum would like a reason for why her daughter died and to be able to tell Ava what happened to her mum.”
Another cousin of Alicia, Leanne Watts, said: “We understand the decomposition makes it difficult to determine certain evidence. The circumstances, to me, are suspicious in themselves. How can you explain it?”.
Evidence presented by DS Liam Milner revealed that Alicia was last seen in July appearing “yellow all over” and extremely unwell. DS Milner stated that the police discovered her after a friend reported her missing.
She was found lying across her bed with several empty cider bottles in the room.
The ex-partner was charged following a domestic abuse incident in February, just a fortnight before Alicia was discovered. DS Milner conceded there were worries this was “the catalyst for something that happened in the flat”.
A knife was also discovered under her pillow.
However, DS Milner stated there was “nothing at the scene that indicated any third-party involvement”. He said the police found “no evidence” the ex-partner was involved.
He was released and the investigation was closed.
A pathologist’s report raised concerns about bruising around the neck area due to a fractured larynx. However, because of the body’s decomposition, it was impossible to determine whether this contributed to Alicia’s death.
There was also evidence she had taken painkillers, including tramadol and mitrazapine, but the decomposition of the body made it difficult to ascertain the exact quantities in the bloodstream. Dr Lumb stated: “Although the larynx fracture was concerning, it was not possible to be certain of the cause of Alicia’s death.”
A GP report revealed Alicia battled alcohol and painkiller dependency, had been sexually assaulted and had made multiple suicide attempts.
Alicia Douglass (South Yorkshire Police)
She had not been given a prescription for the painkillers discovered in her system.
Ms Berry stated: “Alicia was last seen alive on CCTV on July 23 on CCTV. She had been dead for some time, and her body was decomposed.
“This made subsequent investigations difficult. Dr Lumb was concerned she may have been subjected to pressure to her neck, but was unable to confirm this.
“The police investigated this incident fully but did not find anything suspicious. The investigation found that friends and acquaintances reported Alicia was unwell. In particular, she was yellow and was vomiting.
“She had reported she was struggling to eat and was very thin.
“As a result, on the balance of probabilities, it cannot be said how Alicia died. There are many possible explanations, but on the balance of probabilities, it just cannot be said.
“So, with respect to the cause of death, I accept that of Dr Lumb, unascertained. My conclusion to Alicia’s death is open.”