Body exhumed in care home probe

Bodies exhumed in death inquiry

The exhumation of an elderly woman's body as part of an inquiry into seven suspicious deaths at a care home is complete.

Forensic officers began to remove the body of Nellie "Mary" Pickford, who died aged 89, at midnight on Wednesday.

She is the first of three former residents of Parkfields care home in the Somerset village of Butleigh to be exhumed and tested for drugs.

Police said the operation had gone "smoothly" thanks to clear conditions.

Jill Fowler, who held a solitary vigil across the road from Glastonbury Cemetery, said she did not know Mrs Pickford, but "just didn't want her to be alone".

"I just wanted to say a little prayer and light a candle."

Three Church of England vicars were in attendance and led prayers during the exhumation.

It is a drastic measure to carry out exhumations, but we feel it is essential Det Supt Trevor Simpson, Avon and Somerset Police

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "At midnight last night, as planned, work started on the exhumation.

"Shortly before 5.25, Mrs Pickford's remains were taken to a hearse and driven to a mortuary, where a forensic post-mortem examination will take place later.

"Also in attendance were the deputy county coroner's officer, environmental officers, police forensic experts, undertakers, and the family liaison officer who has been appointed to act as the first point of contact for Mrs Pickford's family."

Along with Mrs Pickford, detectives are also investigating the deaths of six other residents at Parkfields care home, near Glastonbury.

Two more exhumations will follow.

Rachel and Leigh Baker were originally arrested following the death of Lucy Cox, 97 on New Year's Day.

Nurse Rachel Baker, 45, who was listed as the home manager, was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance.

Her 48-year-old husband Leigh Baker, a chef at the home, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the administration of a noxious substance.

New evidence from old graves

Both have been bailed without charge until September.

Det Supt Trevor Simpson, who is leading the case, said: "We are not talking about poisonings in the traditional sense.

"We are checking for drugs but we cannot go into details for operational reasons.

"The investigation began in January when we conducted the post-mortem of another resident (Lucy Cox)," he explained.

"As a result we have become suspicious about the other deaths. It is a drastic measure to carry out exhumations, but we feel it is essential.

"The family, who have been consulted throughout, are extremely upset and distressed."

Private re-burial

Police are unable to examine the bodies of three other former residents because they were cremated.

The investigation began after an inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) in January.

A CSCI spokesman said: "We carried out an unannounced inspection at the home... and found that standards had deteriorated significantly since the previous inspection in June 2006."

An emergency closure notice was issued after standards failed to improve, the CSCI said.

Mrs Pickford's body is expected to be released back to the family within three days so they can conduct a private re-burial service.