AN investigation into the death of a woman, whose husband was initially suspected of murdering her, has failed to determine how she came by her fatal injuries.

Detectives and pathologists could not say for certain whether Sandra Gill suffered a bleed on the brain because she had fallen or been assaulted, an inquest heard today.

Husband Joseph Gill called 999 at 11.34pm on Saturday, June 18, last year after he found the 50-year-old unresponsive on the sofa at home in Palm Road, West Cornforth, County Durham.

He attempted to give her first aid until a police officer and paramedic arrived but she was pronounced dead at 11.45pm and he was arrested on suspicion of her murder.

Acting Detective Superintendent Dave Ashton, of Durham police, said the couple had a history of alcohol and domestic abuse with each previously arrested for allegedly assaulting one another.

Mr Gill denied any physical assault on the day or weeks before his wife’s death and said she may have been hurt falling off the toilet, as she told him happened, or the settee or bed as she often did when drinking.

Forensic and neuro pathologists found the bleeding on Mrs Gill’s brain began a few days earlier and either built up or happened in two stages, but could not pinpoint when or how. She also had bruises on her face and a high level of alcohol in her system.

Det Supt Ashton said: “Overall there wasn’t a substantiated incident we could refer to as assault that caused her injuries, therefore we concluded there wasn’t any merit in taking the investigation any further.”

Coroner Andrew Tweddle, sitting in Crook, said there was insufficient evidence to say whether an assault or accident was more likely to have caused Mrs Gill’s death and recorded an open conclusion.

The inquest also heard police took two hours to attend the couple’s house after Mr Gill rang police on the afternoon of June 18, complaining of abuse from his wife, and found nobody home.

That delay- twice the target response time for priority calls- and officers’ use of body cameras at the property have been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.