A nurse who was reported missing after failing to return home after a shift was found in her car submerged in a river, an inquest has heard.
The body of paediatric nurse Laurie Jane Jones, 23, was found in the Sirhowy River after she had finished work in the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff in the early hours of October 1.
In an inquest opened and adjourned on Tuesday, it was heard Miss Jones’ body was recovered by police in the river near Wyllie, near Blackwood, and identified by her father.
A provisional cause of death was given as drowning and head injury.
Coroner’s officer John Lewis said: “On Tuesday, October 1, 2019, Laurie Jones was reported as a missing person as she had not returned home from the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff where she was employed as a paediatric nurse.
(Image: Media Wales)
(Image: Media Wales)
“Subsequent police inquiries located her car submerged in the Sirhowy River.
“Police are continuing their inquiries but do not suspect any third party involvement.”
In the days after Miss Jones’ death, her grief-stricken parents described the devoted children’s nurse as the “the best daughter anyone could have”.
After passing A-levels in chemistry, biology, and maths she went to Bucks New University in Uxbridge to study child nursing, funding the course herself.
(Image: Media Wales)
Miss Jones started at UHW in January after turning down a job at London’s Great Ormond Street where she had trained for 18 months.
Speaking previously, her father Simon said: “We just don’t know what happened – we are waiting to find out.
“She was the most caring girl in the world – all she wanted to do was go to work and care for people.
“She was the best daughter anyone could have.”
(Image: Media Wales)
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Her mother Jo said: “I left the lamp on for her in the hallway and it was still on when I got up at 5.30am.
“I assumed she was tied up in work but when she didn’t arrive home I started texting her with no response.”
During the five-minute hearing, senior coroner for Gwent Caroline Saunders said: “I am satisfied Laurie Jane Jones has been appropriately identified and confirm the circumstances surrounding her death are to be subject to an inquest.”
The inquest was adjourned until March 17, 2020.
