Alleged murder victim Lilia Valutyte, nine, died from a stab wound to the chest, an inquest opening has heard. Lincolnshire Coroner’s Court was told the schoolgirl’s death was confirmed at Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital and she was formally identified by her stepfather, Aurelijus Savickas, reports Lincolnshire Live.
Deividas Skebas is charged with murdering Lilia on July 28 in Boston and was remanded into custody by a judge at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday. Acting senior coroner Paul Smith adjourned the inquest until the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
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Acting Senior Coroner for Lincolnshire Paul Smith said: "I'm told that a forensic post-mortem examination is being carried out by Dr Stuart Hamilton.
"The provisional cause of death provided has been given as stab wound to the chest. That is said to be pending further tests. The death was formally confirmed on July 28 at Boston's Pilgrim Hospital and her body was formally identified by her step-father Aurelijus Savickas on August 2."
Mr Smith, reading evidence from coroner's officer Jacqui Foxlowe's statement, added that Lilia was born at the hospital on February 2, 2013, and was a student who lived in Carlton Road in the town. Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer Lovett told the inquest at the Myle Cross Centre, in Macaulay Drive, Lincoln, on Thursday, August 4, that the criminal investigation continues.
She described the tragic death of Lilia as a "heart-breaking case which has affected many people in Boston and further afield" and that her family's welfare remains a priority. DCI Lovett confirmed that a man accused of Lilia's murder, 22-year-old Deividas Skebas, of Thorold Street, Boston, has appeared at Lincoln Crown Court. He has been remanded in custody to appear back at the court on September 19.
Coroner Mr Smith said: "I'm now proposing to suspend the inquest process until the conclusion of criminal process as I'm required to do by law."
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