A PENSIONER at the centre of a hospital CJD scare has died days after her husband.

Mary Russell, 66, of New Marske, near Redcar, east Cleveland, was described as being extremely fit before contracting sporadic CJD in late 2001.

Her family - who believe Mrs Russell's husband, Ronald, died from a "broken heart" after watching his wife's rapid deterioration - have criticised Coroner Michael Sheffield for ordering a post-mortem examination.

There was a scandal last July when it emerged that instruments used on a brain biopsy operation on Mrs Russell were later used on 24 other patients. However, an investigation found no one at Middlesbrough General Hospital was at fault.

Mrs Russell, who had three daughters, died at Moorlands Nursing Home, Guisborough, eight days after her 69-year-old husband died from a stroke.

Mrs Russell's daughter and son-in-law, Dawn and Graham Naughton, are angry that the coroner ordered an inquest, which opened yesterday. They said that the post-mortem examination, which they believe took place yesterday, was unnecessary.

Mr Naughton said: "There is no need for my wife and her sisters to suffer this further pain, especially when inquests can go on for two years on Teesside. That's two years before they have closure.

"An inquest is to establish the cause of death but the fact is there is no doubt about what killed Mary. It has been diagnosed many times as sporadic CJD."

Mrs Naughton confronted Mr Sheffield at the opening of the inquest yesterday. She was told that he thought that her mother may have contracted sporadic CJD during an operation to remove varicose veins 20 years ago.

Mrs Russell worked at the Bodyzone Gym, in Guisborough, and was described as being extremely fit.

Mr Sheffield said he was unable to comment on individual cases.