Baby Pearl inquest concludes

The scene where baby Pearl was found

An inquest into the death of baby Pearl, who was found dead in Heywood woodland last year, has concluded.

HM Senior Coroner recorded a narrative verdict at the conclusion of the inquest which took place in Heywood earlier today (Thursday 7 March 2019). The inquest determined that Pearl, named by Greater Manchester Police officers, was delivered on 25 December 2017 and was 32-40 weeks and a viable pregnancy.

Her delivery was concealed and she was stored in an unknown place until around 4 April 2018 when she was found in Bluebell Woods. Due to the passage of time, it could not be determined whether she had ever lived or if she had died.

Following the inquest, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Wesley Knights of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Following today’s inquest into the death of the baby girl we have come to know as Pearl, I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone that assisted with our investigation, from forensic scientists and pathologists to the local community and officers who took Pearl into their hearts.

“Today marks the end of our investigation, which was described as remarkable and thorough by Her Majesty’s Senior Coroner, and I am extremely proud of my dedicated investigation team who were committed to finding out how Pearl sadly came to be found in Heywood woodland.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support. Baby Pearl will never be forgotten.”

Following the conclusion of the police investigation in October 2018, a 48-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman - who were arrested in July 2018 on suspicion of murder, concealing a birth and preventing a lawful burial - were released with no further action.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/123367/investigation-into-the-body-of-baby-girl-found-in-heywood-woodland-concluded
• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/118090/baby-discovered-in-heywood-named-pearl-by-detectives
• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117717/newborn-babys-body-found-in-heywood-field