A WOMAN whose boyfriend was quizzed by murder cops after her sudden death was actually mauled to death by his dog, an inquest heard.
Grace Gardner, 21, was declared dead at Reece Wilke’s home in Bewdley, Worcestershire.
A murder probe was launched by police and Reece was placed under investigation.
An inquest has now heard that Grace suffered a severe facial trauma wound believed to have been caused by one of Reece’s three dogs.
Worcestershire Coroner’s Court was also told the barmaid had traces of a synthetic opioid in her system at the time of her death.
Pub doorman Reece said he had woken up on April 23, 2024, to see a “cut” on Grace’s face and his family’s pet lurcher licking her.
He said she had been fine around the dogs and was not aware she had taken tablets or any other drugs.
The 27-year-old told the inquest he had met Grace several weeks previously at a bar and she had stayed over at his house multiple times since.
As he began his evidence, assistant coroner Deborah Lakin him he had a right not to incriminate himself and that she could not force him to answer questions.
He said he immediately screamed for help from his mum Maria Wilkes, who called 999.
She told the court she saw tablets on the floor believed Grace and possibly the dog had consumed them.
Describing the moment she saw Grace, Maria added: “She had got a laceration to the side of her face. I thought, like, one of the dogs had done it.”
Emergency crews discovered Grave in the “cluttered and dirty” bedroom after arriving at about 5.05pm.
They said they heard a dog “barking and making crying noises” from behind a bedroom door.
Former West Mercia Pc Edward Maher told the court: “I entered the premises, which I describe as being in a squalid state.
“I spoke with Reece and Maria briefly. He appeared more upset out of the two. It was generally along the lines of ‘I can’t believe what has happened’.”
Both Reece and Maria were arrested over Grace’s death but denied any wrongdoing.
He told police he loved his partner “to bits” and had not caused her any injury.
The inquest continues.
PAGrace Gardner’s death sparked a murder probe[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
