A MUM stabbed her daughter in the back with a 12-inch kitchen knife before turning the blade on herself, an inquest has heard.
Aurica-Floarea Lazar’s daughter suffered a punctured lung in the frenzied attack in Ashford, Kent, on Monday, June 2.
FacebookAurica-Floarea Lazar attacked her own daughter with a 12-inch kitchen knife before turning the blade on herself[/caption]
Just hours before the tragic stabbing the 55-year-old mother had told a psychiatric nurse about her fear of being sectioned.
Ms Lazar’s daughter managed to fend off her vicious attack and ran outside for help, screaming “she stabbed me.”
When police arrived on the harrowing scene Romanian-born Ms Lazar was lying on the kitchen floor of her daughter’s home, still clutching the blade.
She had suffered stab wounds to her neck and chest and was later confirmed dead in hospital.
The tragedy occurred just a day after the pair had enjoyed a day out in Canterbury together.
A court heard the details of the harrowing incident during an inquest into Ms Lazar’s death at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, on Friday.
In her evidence, Ms Lazar’s daughter, Ms Hartagan said she had been facing towards the oven in her home on Ellson Close when she felt a pressure on her back.
When she turned she saw her own mother holding a large kitchen knife, she said.
Desperate to defend herself and fending off multiple attacks, Ms Hartagan bit her mother’s hand.
It was then that she fled outside the home, screaming “she stabbed me” in a desperate bid to summon help.
One of the neighbours went back inside the property and found Ms Lazar on the floor with several wounds.
Ms Hartagan, a mother-of-one was rushed to hospital in London and thankfully made a full recovery.
No reason for the brutal attack was given but, as she was being treated, Ms lazar accused her daughter of turning on her.
In his report, police officer DS Clark told the coroner: “The deceased stabbed her own adult daughter before turning the knife upon herself fatally.
FacebookThe 55-year-old had enjoyed a day out with her daughter the day before the brutal attack[/caption]
“The account from Roxana has been consistent, and there is no reason to disbelieve her.
“The account of the therapist at the memory clinic paints a picture of Roxana being nothing but supportive.
“This seems to be the general feel of their relationship.
“Additionally, Roxana has sustained a stab wound to her back; this cannot have been self-inflicted.
“We also know that Ms Lazar’s mental health was an issue and that it is likely to have been a trigger to the otherwise out-of-character violence.”
The court was told how Ms Lazar was a “loving and charismatic woman” but that it was “difficult to reconcile with the person she became in her final years.”
Ms Lazar suffered with paranoia, anxiety and sschizophrenia and, while living in Denmark, had been sectioned twice.
She moved to the UK in July 2024 to be close to her daughter as her partner at the time was unable to care for her.
A few hours before the horrific attack unfolded at the home the pair attended an NHS Memory Assessment Service appointment at St Martin’s Hospital in Canterbury.
It was feared Ms Lazar was suffering from the early stages of dementia.
At the appointment she said she had a “deep sense of helplessness” and admitted she was afraid of being sectioned.
A community psychiatric nurse reported “no signs of risk or distress during the appointment.”
She was later shocked to hear that Ms Lazar had passed away.
The nurse was adamant that there was “no indication during the assessment that such an event was imminent.”
Police have reiterated that there are no active criminal proceedings as Ms Lazar is believed to be the instigator of the attack.
The inquest was held by Coroner Katrina Hepburn in the absence of next of kin – who declined to attend.
The coroner returned a conclusion of suicide, noting it was the most likely scenario on the balance of probabilities.
She said: “I do bear in mind that the balance of her mind may have been significantly affected through her mental health illness, but I do find that she would have known the likely consequences of stabbing herself in the location where she did.
“I’m satisfied that when she did this act, she did have the requisite intention to die.
“And thirdly, I’m satisfied that all other explanations have been ruled out.”
Ms Hartagan paid tribute to her mother on social media shortly after her tragic death, she said: “My dear mother. You were beautiful, gentle and charismatic.
“We, your family, want to remember you this way – happy and healthy.
“May God keep you under His cover.”
Google mapsThe horror attack unfolded on Ellson Close in Ashford, Kent, on Monday, June 2[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
