Elderly sisters found dead in Sheffield council flat on day of eviction for rent arrears, inquest hears

An inquest into the deaths of two elderly sisters in Sheffield heard an exact cause of death could not be determined. Ann and Christine Hughes, aged 86 and 90, were found deceased by Sheffield City Council staff on May 12 last year, Medico Legal-Centre heard yesterday (April 12).

The Dublin-born sisters were found in the living room of their home on Club Garden Road, Highfield, when the council forced entry to evict the tenants for being in £1,200 rent arrears. The gas and electricity had been switched off.

The joint inquest heard that they had both been found in a state of decomposition. Assistant coroner Alexandra Pountney suggested it was likely the pair had passed away in November 2022 as this was the last time rent was paid, but an exact date of death could not be given. A post-mortem examination read out in court heard that the pair were found dressed in ‘numerous’ clothes, and some used tissues suggested an upper respiratory infection. 

While Ann, a retired shop assistant, and Christine, a retired nurse, both had signs of a lung infection, the pathologist said they had a “complex cause of death” that could be age and fragility, background disease, or poor social circumstances. As such, their medical causes of death were ruled as ‘unascertained’.

Ms Pountney said she had considered the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, but there was no evidence to suggest this in a toxicology report. The boiler had also been disconnected, but it was found to be working properly by the police force.

Giving evidence, police constable Alison Healey, said South Yorkshire Police had been contacted by the council on the morning the women were found deceased. The criminal investigation department found nothing suspicious.