Coroner releases body of tragic mum Jade Watson as inquest adjourned

The inquest into the death of Jade Watson was opened today at Bradford Coroner's Court by Assistant Deputy Coroner Oliver Longstaff.

During the brief hearing, Mr Longstaff read a witness statement from Detective Inspector Paul Smith, who outlined events on the day of Miss Watson’s death.

He said police were called at 4.58pm on Tuesday, November 5, to a house in Wood Lane, Swain House, Bradford, by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service which had responded to reports of a woman with “serious head injuries” who was not breathing.

Officers were directed to a caravan in the garden where paramedics were trying to save the 22-year-old’s life and she was pronounced dead shortly before 6pm.

The following day a post-mortem examination was carried out by Dr Philip Lung and later on November 6 James Gray, a former boyfriend of Miss Watson, was charged with her murder.

On November 15, forensic pathologist Carl Gray completed a second post-mortem examination and agreed with Dr Lung’s findings.

Mr Longstaff said Miss Watson’s mother, Judy Johnson, formally identified her.

“I am satisfied as to the identity of the deceased. I am satisfied that there is no reason her body needs to be retained for any further investigation,” he said.

He said police and legal representatives of Gray, 25, had no objections to the body being released so the family could plan Miss Watson’s funeral.

The inquest also heard that the mother-of-two, of Plumpton Gardens, Wrose, Shipley, worked in a fish and chip shop.

Shortly after her death, Andy Wharton, who manages The In Plaice on Sunbridge Road in the city centre, described Miss Watson as a “fantastic mother” who was “always talking about her kids”.

The inquest was adjourned pending the completion of criminal proceedings.

* Gray, of Wood Lane, Swain house, Bradford, is next due to appear before Bradford Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on Monday, December 23.