GMP opens new investigation into teen's hospital death after coroner steps in
18.06.2024 - 23:29
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Greater Manchester Police has opened a new investigation into the death of teenager Charlie Millers following a coroner's intervention.
The 17-year-old trans boy from Stretford, Trafford, was found unresponsive in his room with injuries caused by a ligature late in the evening of December 2, 2020.
He died five days later, having suffered a hypoxic brain injury in the incident at mental health unit Junction 17, at the site of the former Prestwich Hospital, run by Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust (GMMH).
In April there was an inquest into Charlie's death - an inquest being a public, fact-finding hearing into a sudden, unexpected or violent death - which concluded that he did not intend to take his own life.
Following that, the M.E.N can reveal, Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley wrote to Greater Manchester Police saying she had 'ongoing concerns' about evidence given to the hearing, suggesting the force should look again at the case.
Now, GMP has confirmed it has reopened the investigation and will speak to 'additional' witnesses. This marks the third time that the force has looked into Charlie's case.
GMP first looked into Charlie's death in the immediate aftermath, but found nothing untoward. But in January 2023, when the inquest hearing first opened, Ms Kearsley told the court that questions had been raised about whether some hospital documents ‘might have been altered’ since Charlie’s death.
That led Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes to request for the hearing to be delayed so that GMP could review its initial investigation. He added that some members of staff working for the hospital trust may have to be interviewed under caution as part of their enquiries.
Adjourning the inquest, Ms Kearsley said she was ‘not