The first evidence the coroner, Edward Steele, heard in David’s inquest was the evidence of the Consultant Histopathologist, Dr Justin Cooke.

The coroner said at A1 in the bundle there was a covering letter in which Dr Cooke set out his opinion that David died from 1a) bilateral pneumonia.

The coroner said in the body of the post mortem report, which he did not intend to read in full, Dr Cooke gave David’s date of death as 13 January 2022 and the date of his autopsy as 17 January 2022.

He says he repeats the cause of death as 1a) bilateral pneumonia.

The coroner highlighted a statement made about the respiratory system that said both lungs showed evidence of pneumonia, with features involving all lobes, alongside congestion and oedema.

[I missed what the coroner said next, apologies]. He then said that Dr Cooke’s statement ended:

Salient findings at autopsy were 1a) bilateral pneumonia. In my opinion, on the basis of the autopsy findings the cause of death was due to bilateral pneumonia. This was a natural cause of death.

And he’s signed that post mortem examination report.

The next evidence was from David’s sister, Keri.