An inquest has opened into the death of a woman who allegedly died in a suspected "murder-suicide".
Helen Barlow, 54, was found dead along with her partner Richard Leishman, 64, at a house in North Shields in August last year. Following their deaths, police revealed that they were treating the case as a suspected "murder-suicide".
Officers said Helen had suffered injuries "consistent with an assault" while Richard appeared to have self-inflicted wounds. On Wednesday morning, an inquest was opened into Helen's death at Newcastle Coroner's Court.
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The court heard how Helen had died at a property on The Quadrant on August 8, 2022 and was identified by her dental records.
Assistant Coroner Karin Welsh told the court: "The situation is that Mrs Barlow's death has been the subject of an investigation by Northumbria Police."
She said the perpetrator of an assault, that has resulted in her death, has also been the subject of an investigation. The coroner adjourned the hearing so that the investigating officer in the case and the pathologist could attend the inquest.
She told the court in Newcastle that the inquest into her death will take place on August 14 at 1pm. Coroner Welsh added: "The investigating officer will be coming to give evidence and so will the pathologist."
It is understood that the inquest of Richard Leishman is being dealt with separately by the Coroner's Court. Chronicle Live previously reported how Helen's heartbroken sister Louise Jessop had set up a Just Giving page in her memory.
In a post on the fundraising page, she said: "Helen's death was untimely and unjust. It has left a hole in our world that will never be filled, along with many thoughts and feelings that are difficult to cope with."
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