Failed police investigation ‘did not contribute’ to death of murdered young woman found in car boot, coroner rules

Katelyn Parker

A failed police investigation ‘did not make any contribution’ towards the death of a young woman who was murdered and found in the boot of a car in Heywood, a coroner has ruled.

In August 2015, the body of 24-year-old Katelyn Parker was discovered in the boot of a blue Nissan car on River Street, Heywood, after a tip off to police.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Katelyn died from ligature strangulation at her home in Milnrow after she was strangled with the cord of her hair straighteners by Lee Nolan, then 48.

In February 2016, Nolan, of Bamford Road, Heywood was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 18 years for Katelyn’s murder.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/100976/lee-nolan-sentenced-to-life-with-a-minimum-of-18-years-for-the-murder-of-katelyn-parker

Speaking at Heywood Coroner’s Court, Coroner Catherine McKenna recorded a conclusion of unlawful killing following the inquest into Katelyn’s death.

She said: “Between 10.18am and 1pm on 13 August 2015, Katelyn Parker was strangled to death with the cable from her hair straighteners at her home address, Upper Stone Drive in Milnrow, Rochdale. Her body was discovered on 14 August 2015 in the boot of a car parked on Claybank Street in Heywood.

“13 months earlier, the individual who was convicted of her murder, had been arrested by Kent Constabulary for the offence of making threats to kill against his former partner and her children.

“The investigation into the threats to kill was not appropriately progressed initially due to a failure in communication between Greater Manchester Police and Kent Constabulary and subsequently a lack of understanding on the part of officers of Greater Manchester Police of PACE custody time limits, a lack of investigatory rigour and a failure by Greater Manchester Police to take ownership of the investigation.

“These failings have been admitted on the part of both Police Forces but did not make any contribution to Katelyn Parker's death.”