Inquest to resume after long delay into Sheffield woman’s starvation death

An inquest will resume this month into the death of a Sheffield woman who apparently starved to death, with her long-term partner compelled to give evidence.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart has compelled a Sheffield woman’s partner to give evidence at an inquest into her death by apparent starvation.

An inquest will resume this month into the death of a woman who apparently starved to death – with her long-term partner compelled to give evidence despite arguing his answers might incriminate him.

Patricia Iliev, 57, died at Sheffield during March 2021 – and was found in an “extremely emaciated” condition, weighing just 19.1kg.

In December last year, Coroner Olivia McTaggart handed down a ruling that compelled Ms Iliev’s long-term partner, Philip Adams, to give evidence at the inquest, which will finally be continued in Devonport on March 25.

In her ruling, Ms McTaggart said Ms Iliev had suffered declining health, was bed-bound and had ceased eating in the lead-up to her death, with Mr Adams her sole carer.

She said Mr Adams found his partner deceased about 5.30pm on March 6, 2021, spending several hours mourning her, before cleaning and dressing her and placing her on the bed.

He called an ambulance about 10.42pm.

Ambulance officers and police found Ms Iliev with “a severely emaciated and pallid appearance”, requesting the attendance of criminal investigation branch officers and then forensic officers.

A few days later, forensic pathologist Donald Ritchie conducted an autopsy and identified Ms Iliev’s primary cause of death was starvation, with a gastrointestinal tumour and advanced lung disease deemed secondary causes.

In an interview with police, Mr Adams told police Ms Iliev had stopped eating and become immobile – but considered “she had full capacity to make decisions in respect of her care”.

Ms McTaggart decided a public inquest was necessary to make clear the circumstances of Ms Iliev’s death – with questions over the adequacy of Mr Adams’ care and Ms Iliev’s capacity to make decisions about her treatment.

She said in the pre-inquest processes, Mr Adams was advised there was potential for adverse findings to be made against him.

His lawyer argued he should not be compelled to give evidence, “on the grounds that answers he may give may tend to incriminate him”.

The inquest began back in May 2022, with Mr Adams called to the witness box.

However, his lawyer argued during proceedings that his answers could “potentially expose him to a manslaughter charge”.

The inquest was adjourned to allow submissions over the issue.

Ms McTaggart noted that Mr Adams had faced no criminal charges over Ms Iliev’s death, and there was no indication this was likely to happen.

She found under the Coroners Act, Mr Adams was not entitled to invoke a claim of privilege as a reason to refuse to answer questions.

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