An inquest has been formally opened into the death of Barrow pensioner which sparked a murder investigation by detectives.
A Cumbria police spokesman said on Tuesday this week that 90-year-old Geoffrey Kershaw, of Abbey Road in the town, had died in hospital on Friday, March 22.
This is said to have followed an incident at a residence on the same street five days earlier, on Sunday, March 17.
An inquest into Mr Kershaw’s death was opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court this morning.
Coroner Robert Cohen gave details of Mr Kershaw’s date of birth and the reported date of his death.
Mr Cohen outlined some brief circumstances of the death which had been reported to the court.
He said: “In those circumstances it is plainly appropriate that I should open an inquest into Mr Kershaw’s death.
“However, the court has separately been informed that an individual has been charged with the murder of Mr Kershaw. In those circumstances, I suspend the inquest into the death of Mr Kershaw until further order.”
William Prince, 63, of Abbey Road, has been charged with the murder of Mr Kershaw.
Prince has been remanded in custody and is due to make an appearance at Barrow Magistrates’ Court later today.
