Inquest hears woman froze to death in grounds of school
An inquest has heard that a woman found dead in the grounds of a Shrewsbury junior school died of hypothermia after not being able to climb over a fence.
The body of Charlotte Christodoulou, 23, was discovered in a doorway of Harlescott Junior School on 4 January 2015.
The inquest heard she and her boyfriend Jamie Lloyd-Butler, 33, went into the grounds as a short cut on their way home on 2 January.
The young mother, was unable to climb over a 10ft high fence to get out of the grounds because she was too intoxicated to after drinking and taking drugs.
Mr Lloyd-Butler was able to get out and left her. He said he would return and help her over the fence.
Giving evidence at the inquest, Lloyd-Butler said he returned to the school grounds the following day after receiving a worried phone call from Christodoulou’s mother but said he couldn’t find her.
The coroner for Shropshire, John Ellery, recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.
He said: “It was a freezing cold night and Miss Christodoulou was not wearing thick clothing.
“He says he did go back and she had gone. Given where she was found, she went to try and find a way out but there was no way out, she was trapped.
Two men aged 32 and 29, and a 31-year-old woman were originally arrested on suspicion of murder and obstructing a coroner after the body was discovered.
The three were later released without charge and police said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.
