'Unexpected' new evidence means police could re-open investigation into Katie's death

A NEW investigation by the Coroner - and possibly the PSNI - will be required after a witness at the inquest into the death of an Antrim woman came forward with new evidence, just days before it was due to start.

In 2021, Katie Ryder (25) was found deceased in her bed at a care home in the borough - where she had not long begun spending one week out of four, to give her parents Paula and Dermod respite.

At a preliminary hearing several months ago, it was agreed that the inquest would take place over four days, split between the first and third weeks of June - three in Belfast with one extra day if needed, which could potentially be hosted in Banbridge Court House, because of a lack of courtroom provision across Northern Ireland.

Katie had been born with a rare chromosomal abnormality, causing her to have both profound Autism and Epilepsy.

These conditions brought with them a series of health problems, including the fact she would have Drop Seizures - suddenly falling with no warning.

Katie died on January 31 2021 and the PSNI attended the care home on February 3 to collect relevant records.

At that time, no further police action was taken.

Speaking ahead of the proceedings several months ago, Dermod told the Antrim Guardian: “We look forward to the inquest providing us with the answers as to how and why she died and as to how much she is missed by us and all who knew and were privileged and honoured to care for her.”

Paula added: “We also hope that anything that can be learned from our experiences can be put into policy and practice so that what happened to our family can be avoided in future for others.”

The inquest was due to begin on Monday - but there was a dramatic halt to proceedings on Friday, when an emergency hearing was called in Belfast.

There, Counsel for the Coroner Louisa Fee informed all parties that there had been an ‘unexpected development’, in that a witness due to give evidence had supplied a new information, which would require further investigation from the Coroner ‘and potentially also the PSNI’.

The Coroner said that it was ‘disappointing’ that the new evidence had come at such a late stage and apologised to the Ryders.

The couple said that they understood that the inquest would have to be adjourned, but Mrs Ryder described the news as ‘harrowing’.

Ms Fee said that her role was to ‘investigate Katie’s death as thoroughly as possible’ and therefore more time was needed to accommodate the further investigations.

The Coroner asked two PSNI representatives, including the Senior Investigating Officer, about a timescale for collecting new statements from witnesses and how long an overall investigation could take.

One of the officers confirmed that the witness had come forward last week and that they immediately forwarded the new information to the Coroner’s office.

The officer said that it would take a week per witness, but that an over-arching timescale to complete a further investigation could not be given.

The Coroner recommended that all parties reconvene in September to allow further investigations to take place.

Speaking after the hearing, the Ryders told the Antrim Guardian: “We are disappointed at the further delay, but we know it is not the Coroner’s service at fault.”