The mummified body of Amanda Warburton, 52, was discovered in her apartment in Runcorn, Cheshire, UK, seven months after she was last seen or heard from. Warburton’s death was ruled “non-suspicious” following an inquest this month, but the exact cause remains unknown due to the advanced state of decomposition.
Concerns about Warburton were first raised by a family member who noticed that her window had been closed for an unusually long time, prompting them to contact authorities. Police officers found her body in her sparsely furnished flat on September 17 at 5:47 p.m., according to the Daily Mail.
At the inquest held on October 16 at Cheshire Coroner’s Court, Senior Coroner Jacqueline Devonish reported that Warburton, originally from New Zealand, had been living a reclusive life. Described as a “loner,” her body had become severely decomposed, making it difficult to determine a definitive cause of death. “Her cause of death was unascertained due to severe decomposition and mummification,” Devonish explained.
As a result, the coroner ruled an open conclusion, stating there was “no idea” of the exact circumstances that led to her death. Warburton’s sister, who lives in Queensland, Australia, expressed her grief in a heartfelt social media post. “It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beautiful sister Amanda (Mandy). We are broken. We love you enormously and we will miss you so much,” she wrote. Her sister also launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to travel back to the UK for the funeral.
When officers entered the apartment, they found minimal furniture and a lack of food. A pile of unopened mail had accumulated behind the door, and newspapers dated February 18 were still on the coffee table. Milk in the fridge had expired the following day, suggesting that Warburton may have died around that time.
A sticker on the front door indicated that the housing association had been trying to contact her, and neighbors mentioned not seeing Warburton for about a year. Some had recently noticed a strange smell coming from the property, further raising suspicions.
The police described her body as “extremely decomposed, to the point of being mummified,” and estimated that Warburton had been dead for approximately seven months. Despite the grim discovery, investigators found no evidence of foul play, concluding there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. Warburton’s tragic and isolated passing has shaken the community, highlighting the importance of staying connected, especially with those who may live alone.